A campaigner against assisted suicide has responded to a vote in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Responding to the vote, Dr Miro Griffiths, an expert adviser on disability and spokesman for Better Way, said: “We are disappointed by this vote.
“The bill has always been a threat to disabled and marginalised people, but flawed scrutiny and the rejection of key safeguarding measures during the committee and report stages have made it an especially perilous piece of legislation.
“If the bill goes on to become law, many marginalised people will face pressure to remove themselves from society because society has not resolved the inequalities they face. Legislating for this situation would be unconscionable.
“Parliamentarians should be devoting their energy to improving ethical and progressive forms of support: blanket suicide prevention, palliative care, and measures that create a more just and inclusive society for disabled people. This is the better way forward.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Better Way campaign opposes assisted suicide, sets out an alternative vision, and provides a platform for marginalised voices. The campaign is supported by experts in several fields including medicine, disability advocacy, and sociology.
You can access a HD picture of Dr Griffiths here. Please credit ‘Better Way’. Contact us: admin@betterwaycampaign.co.uk