Inquiry regarding regulations concerning end-of-life issues (no. 766)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 19:06
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 29
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 34m
AI Summaries: 29/29 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
At the first agenda item, a question was debated concerning the regulations related to end-of-life matters, submitted by members of the Riigikogu: Andre Hanimäe, Jaak Aab, Madis Kallas, Ester Karuse, Lauri Läänemetsa, Anti Allas, Heljo Pikhof and Helmen Küti. A crucial topic arose in the light of the Supreme Court’s Paul Tammert case: what happens when one person provides another with the means to commit suicide, and what is the legal and ethical framework for decisions about a person’s end of life. The Minister of Social Affairs responded to the question, emphasizing that it is a two-tiered issue – legal regulation and ethical considerations – and the need to continue discussions and legislation in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and Digital Transformation. Important points highlighted were the implementation of the law on advance directives (when a will can be expressed specifically even when the person can no longer speak) and the possibility of discussing a broader framework encompassing aspects related to ethics, medicine, and palliative care. Furthermore, it was concluded that from January 2027, patients will be able to submit advance directives through the health information system, and it is necessary to continue discussions and develop services and interaction between different sectors. Another important aspect concerned increasing the accessibility of palliative care, palliative care for children, and pilot projects aimed at testing new service models and involving educational institutions to create further training. Overall, the presented plans demonstrate that the state is ready to move forward on both the legal and the social and healthcare levels, but emphasize the consensus found in inclusion and broad discussion, and a thorough ethical consideration.
Decisions Made 1
No formal decisions were made at this session. The focus was on discussion and defining further steps and frameworks. Tasks include public discussion, a thorough review of existing legal and ethical issues, and the continued development of systems for advance directives and palliative care services. There are also plans to hold a roundtable discussion and to draft a specific action plan for taking the next steps.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller of the Riigikogu (id 46afnYFUZKE). She represented the governing coalition and performed the main interview and response block in the discussion, explaining the government's positions on advance directives and related issues. Position: right-wing/government representative.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is considering today, as an item on the agenda, the inquiry submitted on May 7 concerning end-of-life regulations, which will be presented by Andre Hanimäe.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi pointed out that in light of the Supreme Court ruling, a legal vacuum and an ethical dilemma have emerged in Estonia regarding end-of-life and assisted suicide issues. He called on the government to initiate an open discussion and a legislative process in cooperation with the Ministers of Social Affairs, Justice, and Digital Affairs, in order to review the legal, ethical, and medical aspects and enable a dignified end of life for the seriously ill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called [the relevant party] to the Riigikogu rostrum and gave the floor for answering the interpellation submitted by Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that the Paul Tammert case highlighted the individual's right to decide about the end of life, as well as the need—through precise regulation and broad discussion—for advance directives regarding end-of-life wishes, and for better accessibility to palliative care, mental health, and social services. She noted at the same time that the issues of euthanasia or assisted suicide would only be addressed after thorough debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the minister, notes that there are questions, and invites Andre Hanimägi to ask them.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stressed the necessity of holding discussions and achieving societal consensus regarding the regulation of assisted suicide. He noted that while the process has not yet begun this year, the Paul Tammert case and the Supreme Court ruling could accelerate it. Regulation is anticipated at the autumn roundtable, but it must be acknowledged that a legal vacuum still persists before any legislative amendments are made.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that assisted suicide does not exist in Estonia, and since the issue is complex and a rapid solution is unrealistic, the debate must be broadened to include medical, legal, and ethical perspectives. Furthermore, every doctor must make their own decision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls upon Lauri Läänemets.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets stressed that the issue must not be rushed and requires societal debate and analysis. It must be clearly explained to the public what is being done and why, and all actions must be taken strictly within the bounds of legality. He also asked how and when this gap would be closed and whether there were plans to organize a debate.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He stated that we have a legal vacuum regarding an individual's right to self-determination concerning their life, and filling this requires addressing, first and foremost, questions of ethics, law, medicine, and healthcare management.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt pointed out that residents of Viljandi suffer from inadequate palliative care and high healthcare costs. Furthermore, due to the lengthy waiting lists for specialists, people are seeking treatment abroad. She then asked how these issues could be resolved in a way that ensures no one is disadvantaged and that assisted suicide is not tied to financing.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The core message of the presentation is that we need to improve the quality and accessibility of palliative care, establish systemic support, and reallocate resources so that every patient receives the appropriate level of care. However, since the number of doctors will not be increasing, the focus is being placed on staff retention and training.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls on Madis Kallas to speak.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas asked the minister whether the topic of assisted suicide had significantly advanced in other countries, and if Estonia could follow suit based on such developments or receive support from those nations.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, noted that assisted suicide has been legalized in some European countries and Australia, but the precise list will be provided by experts, and she will compile it later if necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Heljo Pikhof to take the floor.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof remembered that about 15 years ago, she served on the Bioethics and Human Research Council and attended a major conference. She noted that the core reason for the push toward euthanasia remains unchanged, and that this issue must now be tackled more vigorously, as people are expecting a solution.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller stated that the court ruling concerned assisted suicide, not euthanasia, and that Estonia requires a thorough discussion and societal consensus. Furthermore, the palliative care system must be fully functional before any legalization can take place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls upon Riina Sikkut to speak.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut called for a balanced, substantive discussion on assisted suicide, emphasizing that a consensus must be reached on whether and how to regulate it as a healthcare service, including which service providers would be involved and what responsibilities would accompany it.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
He/She stated that while immediate legislative changes are not planned, the subject will be thoroughly investigated, and proposals addressing assisted suicide, palliative care, and the associated ethical and safety concerns will be submitted next year.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Jaak Aab to come forward and speak.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab emphasizes the improved accessibility of palliative care and the necessity for clear legal regulation, noting that the issue encompasses the health and social sectors as well as legal matters. He also asks whether cooperation has occurred with the Ministers of Justice and Digital Affairs to avoid a gray area.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Through cooperation between myself and the Minister of Justice, we managed to get this included in the government's action plan, which recognizes the need for regulation. I also involved the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and the resulting plan is broad-based.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker invites Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asks the minister what exactly the phrase "safe assisted suicide" means and what it entails in practice.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that a person's will must truly be respected, and situations must be avoided where an unsafe suicide attempt leaves the person alive but in worse conditions—as the Tammert case demonstrated—because such an experience severely damages their mental health.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the minister, concluded the Q&A session, opened and closed the debate, and announced that the first item on the agenda had been addressed.