Brother of Dignitas Death Woman Demands End to 'Cruel' UK Assisted Dying Laws
The brother of a British woman who died at the Swiss assisted dying clinic Dignitas has made an emotional appeal for legal change on the second anniversary of her death. Tony Marra said his sister Paola was "failed" by England's current legislation, leaving her with "no choice" but to travel alone to Switzerland to end her life.
Paola Marra's Powerful Final Message
Before her death at age 53 on March 20, 2024, Paola Marra recorded a poignant message urging politicians to reform what she called the "cruel law" governing assisted dying in the United Kingdom. The former charity sector and music industry worker, who was once married to Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, collaborated with renowned photographer Rankin to share her perspective on end-of-life choices.
"Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, it's about reclaiming control. It's not about death, it's about dignity," Paola stated in a film released just one day after her passing. "It's about giving people the right to end their suffering on their own terms, with compassion and respect."
She concluded with a direct appeal: "So, as you watch this, I am dead. But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying." Paola had battled both breast and bowel cancer before her death at the Dignitas facility.
Parliamentary Battle Over Assisted Dying Legislation
Two years after Paola's death, Tony Marra is joining campaigners outside Parliament as the proposed assisted dying law for England and Wales continues its difficult journey through the House of Lords. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which passed the House of Commons last year, faces significant time constraints and opposition in the upper chamber.
Mr. Marra spoke ahead of further debate scheduled for Friday, stating: "Two years ago, my sister Paola, terminally ill with bowel cancer, died alone in Switzerland. England – the place she had called home for so long – had given her no choice."
He emphasized that his sister wasn't seeking anything extraordinary, but rather "the right to die with dignity, in her own country, surrounded by the people she loved." The current legislation will fail if it doesn't complete all parliamentary stages before the current session ends in May.
Diverging Approaches Across British Isles
The debate comes just days after Scottish MSPs at Holyrood voted down the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, with opponents hailing the decision as "a great victory for the most vulnerable in our society." Meanwhile, two Crown Dependencies have moved forward with assisted dying legislation:
- Jersey passed its draft assisted dying law in February, awaiting royal assent to formally become law on the island
- The Isle of Man's Tynwald became the first parliament in the British Isles to agree a framework for assisted dying in March 2025
Opposition and Alternative Proposals
Opponents of assisted dying legislation argue for focusing instead on improving end-of-life care across the UK. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for a "moral obligation" to make "urgently needed improvements" to palliative care services.
Brown highlighted the current "postcode lottery" in end-of-life care, noting that not everyone approaching death can access "high levels of care" regardless of where they live in the UK. He has urged governments across all four nations to cooperate in ensuring dying people receive "the most compassionate and highest quality of care."
Tony Marra concluded with a direct message to Parliament: "MPs in this country have listened and voted to back an assisted dying law. But now a small group of Lords are delaying the Bill, as real people run out of time. My message to Parliament is this: don't let another family experience what mine did."
He pleaded: "Every day that law change is delayed has a human cost. Please, let us choose." The debate continues as campaigners on both sides make their cases about one of the most emotionally charged and ethically complex issues facing British society today.
