Assisted suicide can’t be legislated for safely and can put undue strain on susceptible folks to finish their lives, the Scottish Parliament has heard this week.
Michael Veitch, of the Christian advocacy group CARE for Scotland, instructed members of Holyrood’s Well being, Social Care and Sport Committee that the proposals are “inherently harmful” and quantity to a “crossing of the Rubicon”.
The committee has been listening to proof on Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Sick Adults (Scotland) Invoice, which might enable terminally unwell adults in Scotland to request assist from healthcare professionals in ending their life.
Mr Veitch warned that the scope of the proposed laws is simply too broad and can “be interpreted past its coverage intentions”.
He stated that many individuals would really feel an “invisible” and “inside strain” to decide on assisted suicide due to considerations about funds or the state of the NHS.
He argued that MSPs ought to work to set a “gold customary” in palliative look after all who want it in Scotland, and ship the message to society that “we are going to care for you” somewhat than “facilitating an early dying with deadly medication”.
“Our sturdy assertion is that this invoice can have a really determinantal affect on very susceptible individuals who will really feel invisible strain to think about an choice that wasn’t there earlier than,” he stated.
Dr Miro Griffiths, incapacity advocate with Not Lifeless But UK, additionally appeared earlier than the committee this week the place he instructed MSPs that the laws is “incompatible” with incapacity rights.
“Each life is price residing and each life ought to have assist to go on residing,” he stated.
Dr Griffiths cited disturbing reviews from Canada about folks being pushed in direction of assisted suicide as a result of they might not entry sufficient housing or assist providers.
“So many communities going through injustice will probably be introduced with this as a selection, however it’s going to look like a path they need to go down as a result of inequalities they face,” he stated.
The committee will hear from the Scottish Authorities and Mr McArthur earlier than producing a Stage 1 Report with suggestions for Parliament which might be anticipated to be debated within the spring.
