ABSTRACT
Human rights have a fundamental role in shaping the care and treatment provided to the patient at the end of life. This chapter characterises and delineates the role of human rights in shaping palliative care provision. It considers the influence of these rights in promoting central elements of palliative care and shaping healthcare decision-making in practice. The chapter examines the role of the ethical and legal concepts of autonomy and dignity in defining and enhancing the provision of palliative care. It also examines the substance of the right to palliative care. The chapter investigates the limits of autonomy and demonstrates the challenge of fully integrating the traditional liberal conception of autonomy in palliative care. It addresses only a small aspect of the human rights issues in palliative care. The chapter explores the human rights implications arising at the end-of-life and to address not only the rights of patients but to also include the rights of family members and healthcare practitioners.
