The Right to a Dignified Death: Between Criminal Liability, the Legalization of Euthanasia, and the Legislator’s Fears

Abstract

The concept and the ethical and legal framework of every person’s right to a dignified death are inextricably linked to the concepts of euthanasia and assisted dying, which pertain to the will to live - concepts with far-reaching philosophical, religious, moral, and ethical implications. This concept has sparked heated debates in medical, ethical, and legal circles, as well as in religious ones, based on the principles enshrined in the right to life and its protection throughout legislation, including in the European Convention on Human Rights and in EU law. As more and more states regulate assisted dying and euthanasia without criminalizing these acts, others have adopted hybrid solutions, with reduced penalties for forms of killing at the victim’s request. At the same time, representatives of monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) have adopted a Joint Declaration condemning any form of euthanasia and/or medically assisted suicide and have proposed the promotion of palliative care. The sole purpose of this scientific study is to analyze the most recent arguments raised in the academic debate, as well as the recent legislative changes introduced by several states, from the perspective of ethical and medical arguments, as well as criminal law. The main issue lies in the difficulty of finding a unified solution; the validity and significance of the arguments presented by the proponents of each theory or idea, as well as the accuracy of the principles invoked and the medical arguments, make it difficult to resolve this theoretical dispute with far-reaching practical consequences in criminal law.

Received: 27 February 2026  │  Accepted: 14 June 2026  │  Published: 23 July 2026