Member

End-of-life legislation to protect the autonomy and dignity of the terminally ill must acknowledge that coercion and pressure are not limited to overt acts by individuals. Incorporating structural disadvantage, poverty and lack of care into the definition of “coerced or pressured” ensures that end-of-life choices are genuinely free and informed. By recognising these forms of indirect pressure, we can better protect the vulnerable individuals and uphold the fundamental values of dignity, autonomy and justice.