Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering, while assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted suicide, is suicide committed with the aid of a physician. Assisted suicide is often confused with euthanasia. In cases of euthanasia the physician administers the means of death, usually a lethal drug. In assisted suicide, it is required that the person voluntarily expresses their wish to die, and also makes a request for medication for the purpose of ending their life. Assisted suicide thus involves a personâÂÂs self-administration of deadly drugs that are supplied by a doctor. The legality of euthanasia and assisted suicide varies. Involuntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries. Active non-voluntary euthanasia (patient's consent unavailable) is illegal in all countries, though in the Netherlands the Groningen Protocol allows exemptions from prosecution in strict circumstances. Passive non-voluntary euthanasia (withholding life support) is either legal or not legislated in most countries.
Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. It is also legal in all states and territories of Australia except the Northern Territory (where it was briefly legal from 1996âÂÂ1997), and in the United States jurisdictions of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington State and Washington DC. Assisted suicide is legal in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.
This list contains notable people who have died via either legal voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide. The criterion for notability is an article on the individual in the English Wikipedia.