[Right_to_die] Call to reduce murder charge in some cases to manslaughter

[World right-to-die news list (nonprofit)]

The Daily Telegraph in London reported 8 June 09:

Relatives who help terminally ill loved ones die 'should not be charged 
with murder'

By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent

The amendment to the new Coroners and Justice Bill has been put forward 
by Lord Joffe, who has campaigned for voluntary euthanasia in the past.

He wants the law to be changed so that it would be considered 
manslaughter and not murder "for a person moved by compassion in 
response to repeated requests by a terminally ill, mentally competent 
adult who is suffering unbearably, to assist (him) to end his life."

Labour peers would be given free vote on assisted suicide

Dr Peter Saunders, the director of Care Not Killing, which campaigns 
against assisted suicide, said: "I can't see what there is in this 
amendment to stop a future Harold Shipman.

"What they are proposing is a license for people feeling under a 
financial strain or under the burden of caring for someone to kill them."

He called on those who wanted to legalise assisted suicide to bring a 
Bill on the issue rather than trying to "force it in through the back door".

Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer and former Labour minister Baroness 
Jay have also tabled an amendment, which would allow relatives to help 
loved ones travel abroad to euthanasia clinics, such as the Dignitas 
clinic in Switzerland, to the Coroners and Justice Bill.

Peers are expected to debate the amendments later this month.