The euthanasia bill will be reviewed article by article in September

In September, with the resumption of Parliament after the summer recess, the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights will begin an article-by-article discussion of the bill providing for medical assistance in dying, i.e. euthanasia. So far, the balance between the parties and participants appears unchanged, as the Democratic Party has taken a negative stance on the bill proposed by AKEL MP Irini Charalambidou, while DIKO continues to hold a similar position.

At today's committee meeting, Health Minister Michalis Damianos reiterated the government's position on the development of palliative care services, first reminding that "a bill providing for these services has been submitted to Parliament and its discussion is expected to begin after the summer."

The Ministry of Health stated that "currently, palliative care services can be offered to cancer patients through the general health insurance system, but these services are not fully provided or within the framework to be defined by law, so regulation of assisted death must begin."

Committee Chair Irini Charalambidou spoke of every person's right to decide how they reach the end of their life when there is no hope left, stressing that since the proposed bill — which includes strict conditions and criteria — applies only to cancer patients, and cancer patients already receive palliative care, "the argument put forward cannot be accepted." She also noted that European countries have begun passing similar laws, highlighting the law adopted in the United Kingdom.