Esther Rantzen says she has joined Dignitas and dogs have kinder deaths than people

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Esther Rantzen, a reputable figure, recently revealed her membership in Dignitas. She also expressed her belief that dogs receive a more humane end of life compared to humans. This statement was made while advocates of assisted dying gathered outside Parliament in anticipation of an upcoming debate on the topic.

Esther, who holds the title of Dame and is aged 83, has disclosed that she is currently contemplating travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death. This decision comes after being told that she has stage four lung cancer. She has requested earnestly that Members of Parliament make it a point to attend the discussion session on Monday.

The founder of Childline and a person who broadcasts, who is 83 years old, has stated that the law in place at the moment is incorrect and not morally correct. They have asked for Members of Parliament to be able to freely vote on the topic of assisted dying.

Members of Parliament will be discussing the topic of assisted dying, which has not been debated in nearly two years. A petition, supported by Dame Esther, Dignity in Dying, and the Daily Express, has received over 200,000 signatures, leading to the discussion taking place.

During an interview with BBC's Today Programme, she pleaded with Members of Parliament to attend the upcoming hearing. She emphasized that regardless of their stance on the issue, whether in favor of or against law reform on assisted dying, it is crucial that they listen to the evidence presented from different parts of the globe. This is because legalizing assisted dying in other countries has been implemented with meticulous regulation and we need to catch up with what they're doing.

It's evident that assisted dying doesn't harm palliative care, and in certain situations, it can offer great benefits. As for me, it means I can anticipate a peaceful passing without pain, while being surrounded by those closest to me.

The lone option for achieving a comfortable and painless death with peace of mind is to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland, away from my loved ones. If my family accompanies me, they might face a police investigation for being involved in my demise or pushing me towards it. This concept is senseless, but nonetheless, it causes a lot of distress.

Esther is now a member of Dignitas and has expressed her desire to travel to Switzerland for assisted death. It is firmly planned on her to-do list.

During a conversation with GMB, she mentioned that she experienced three deaths that took place in quick succession. These included her spouse Desmond, her mother, and her canine friend. She clearly stated that out of all of them, her dog had the most peaceful passing.

We found out that our furry companion had cancer and decided to peacefully let him go before he experienced any discomfort. It's heartbreaking that we can provide this compassionate end-of-life care for our pets, but not for our human loved ones.

As a result of her poor health, she will be unable to participate in the debate taking place on Monday. Nonetheless, supporters and family members who have lost loved ones are congregating outside of Parliament in advance of the discussion.

The gathering of well-known personalities will include broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, who previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the existing law. This was due to the suffering of his younger brother Nicholas, who had MND and eventually passed away. Dimbleby has described the existing law as intolerable.

According to reports, there will be a protest in central London on Monday afternoon, and voices of support will come from various individuals such as actress Dame Susan Hampshire and activist Peter Tatchell. This is in line with efforts to push for a change in the law, which will be discussed during the Westminster Hall debate.

The group Dignity in Dying, which advocates for change, shared that individuals who are facing terminal illness and their loved ones who are grieving will be present at this gathering. In addition, My Death, My Decision mentioned that this marks a notable moment in the movement towards enacting a law that allows for compassionate assisted dying.

The request that was the cause of Monday's discussion declared that people who are in their right state of mind and approaching the end of their life because of illness should not have to endure excruciating pain against their wishes.

Tonia Antoniazzi, a Labour politician who is part of the Petitions Committee, is scheduled to initiate the discussion, and Laura Farris, the minister responsible for protecting victims and ensuring their safety, will speak on behalf of the Government. No decision will be made by a vote.

The matter was previously put to a vote in the House of Commons back in 2015. Unfortunately, it didn't pass the initial stage by a significant margin, with 330 votes against and only 118 in favor.

However, a relatively short period of time has passed since a discussion regarding assisted dying was conducted in Westminster Hall. This exchange was held in July of 2022 and featured the contributions of 38 Members of Parliament, spanning a three-hour period.

Individuals who do not support the modification of current legislation have expressed worry that the legalization of assisted dying may cause susceptible individuals to contemplate ending their lives due to a sense of obligation to those around them. They contend that those who are disabled, elderly, sick or depressed may be particularly vulnerable to such pressure.

The CEO of Care Not Killing, Dr Gordon Macdonald, stated that the discussion that took place on Monday fell short of addressing the issues with the palliative and social care system in the UK. He believes it was a lost chance to talk about ways to improve it.

He suggested that instead of debating a hazardous and dogmatic policy, the focus should be on finding ways to repair the UK's inadequate and inconsistent end-of-life care system, thereby ensuring that everyone can have a respectful passing.

Assisting someone in taking their own life is prohibited in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and can result in up to 14 years imprisonment.

Assisting someone's death is not classified as a distinct criminal offense in Scotland. However, it can result in a person facing charges of murder or other criminal offenses.

According to recent reports, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to permit a vote on the issue of legalising assisted dying in case of a Labour Party victory in the upcoming general election. Meanwhile, officials at Downing Street have stated that the decision whether or not to discuss the legalisation of assisted dying again lies with the Parliament.