Report on Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program and Potential Human Rights Violations Introduction
Report on Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program and Potential Human Rights Violations Introduction Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program has been a significant part of the country’s healthcare system since it was legalized in 2016. Initially intended to allow those with terminal illnesses or unbearable suffering to end their lives with medical assistance, the program has expanded over time to include people with mental health conditions. This expansion has raised concerns, particularly regarding the potential for coercion and the inclusion of vulnerable individuals. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has voiced extreme concern regarding Canada’s MAID laws, particularly with respect to their impact on people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Recent studies and reports from advocacy groups highlight that the law has led to serious human rights violations, including potential coercion and undue in...