Melbourne, Australia, Jul 24, 2019 / 15:01 pm
The first permit for medically assisted death in Victoria was issued in recent weeks, less than a month after the Australian state's legalization of voluntary assisted suicide and euthanasia took effect.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 allows adult Victoria residents who are terminally ill, expected to die within six months (or 12 if they have a neurodegenerative condition), and mentally competent, to ask their doctor to prescribe drugs that will end their lives. The law took effect June 19.
Two doctors must verify the requester's eligibility, and the person must make three requests for assisted suicide or euthanasia. Those seeking to end their lives must have lived in Victoria for at least a year, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Neither the identity nor the medical condition of the person granted a permit to commit suicide have been released.