The Austrian government approved a bill allowing indirect euthanasia for seriously ill patients

The Austrian government approved a bill allowing in 2022 an indirect euthanasia for seriously ill people. It is reported by APA.

The bill implies that the patient himself will have to make a decision on euthanasia. To enter the drug, he will have to sign a special document. The permission for indirect euthanasia will also be required to give two doctors, one of which should be a specialist in palliative care.

Minor euthanasia in Austria will still be prohibited, as well as the active direct euthanasia, carried out without the consent of the patient.

Earlier, the Constitutional Court of Austria lifted the ban on indirect euthanasia. After that, the government of the country developed a bill, the vote under which will be held in December.

At the moment, euthanasia is permitted in four European countries: in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. In January of this year, the Portuguese parliament also approved the legalization of euthanasia, however, on March 16, the Constitutional Court of the country recognized this bill unconstitutional due to blurry formulations. In Germany, passive euthanasia is allowed, when supportive therapy may be discontinued with the consent of a seriously ill patient or his relatives.