The Call for Assisted Dying
Just weeks before her death, Dame Diana Rigg, known for her role as a Bond Girl and in Game of Thrones, made a plea for assisted dying to be legalized. This plea echoes the fight of another Dame, Esther Rantzen, who recently announced her decision to end her life at Dignitas after battling lung cancer.
A Heartbreaking Message
Rigg, who passed away at the age of 82 after a six-month battle with cancer, recorded a message expressing the need for a change in the law surrounding assisted death. She spoke about the awful details of her condition and the need for choice and agency over one's own body at the end of life.
The Ongoing Debate
The issue of assisted dying has long been a topic of debate in the UK. Rantzen's recent announcement has once again brought this argument to the forefront. In an interview on the Today Podcast, she expressed her uncertainty about her remaining time and her decision to join Dignitas.
Dignitas and Assisted Suicide
Dignitas, a Swiss society founded in 1998, provides assistance to individuals with severe physical or mental illnesses, as well as the terminally ill, who wish to end their own lives. Members must prove sound judgment and the ability to bring about their deaths themselves. They submit a formal request and have their wishes approved by doctors who are not part of the organization.
The Legal Landscape
In the UK, both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal, with euthanasia carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. However, "passive euthanasia," which involves the withdrawal of treatment to extend someone's life, is an exception. In Switzerland, active euthanasia is illegal, but prescribing lethal drugs is not a crime if the recipient actively participates in taking them.
The Cost of Assisted Suicide
Those seeking assisted death at Dignitas reportedly pay between €4,000 (£3,600) and €7,000 (£6,400).
Overall, the pleas of Diana Rigg and Esther Rantzen highlight the ongoing discussion surrounding assisted dying in the UK and the need for a compassionate and informed approach to this complex issue.
