Nordic Declaration on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
A shared Nordic commitment to choice, dignity and compassion
People experiencing unbearable suffering due to an incurable illness or condition should have the fundamental human right to make informed choices about their life and their death. The debate on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) must recognise the voices, autonomy and considered wishes of patients themselves.
Palliative care should be available to everyone who needs it and should remain a central part of end-of-life care. No one should feel compelled to choose assisted dying because adequate care, support, or social services are unavailable. However, even the best palliative care cannot relieve every form of physical or psychological suffering, existential distress or loss of meaning to a degree that every patient finds tolerable.
For a small number of people, suffering may remain unbearable despite appropriate treatment, care, and support. A person with decision-making capacity should be able to receive MAiD, subject to clearly defined legal criteria, thorough assessment and robust safeguards.
Palliative care and medical assistance in dying should coexist alongside one another as part of a comprehensive end-of-life care.
Our call to Nordic decision-makers
The Nordic right-to-die societies call on the governments and parliaments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to legalise and carefully regulate Medical Assistance in Dying alongside universal access to palliative care.
Denmark – Ret til at dø
Finland – Oikeus arvokkaaseen kuolemaan ry
Iceland – Lífsvirðing, félag um dánaraðstoð