The Maltese government has launched a proposal to legalise voluntary euthanasia, under very strict conditions, for public consultation.

As part of the proposal announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg today, voluntary euthanasia can only be requested by people over than 18 who are suffering from a terminal illness that will likely result in their death within six months.

Disability, mental health conditions or age-related problems won’t be considered as valid grounds for euthanasia.

Eligible patients must be Maltese residents for at least 12 months to prevent euthanasia commercialisation.

Patients can only request euthanasia for themselves, and encouraging or forcing someone to go down this route will be considered a criminal offence.

The process will work as follows:

After a patient formally requests euthanasia, there will be a one-week cooling-off period, after which three doctors will analyse them. An expert on their terminal condition must certify they suffer from an irreversible condition that will lead to death within six months, and a second expert must confirm that diagnosis.

A psychiatrist must then assess their mental state to confirm they are making this choice freely.

If the doctors give the go-ahead, the request will go to a regulatory board composed of a former judge and a number of medical and legal professionals. This board will speak to the patients and doctors to ensure there isn’t abuse, and if the board suspects some kind of abuse, it will have the power to call for legal action or stop the entire process.

The board will be bound to a two-week timeline before taking a decision.

If the board accepts the request, the patient will maintain the right to change their mind whenever they want.

If they don’t change their mind, they can be euthanised at a government hospital or their own home. While the process must be carried out in the presence of a medical professional, the fatal dose must be administrated by the patient themselves.

The consultation process will be open until 2nd July and three public meetings will be held in Fgura, Gozo, and Mosta.