The Better Way campaign has told MPs that serious problems with ‘assisted dying’ raised in past debates “have not been – and cannot be – resolved”.
Our written evidence to the Committee scrutinising Kim Leadbeater’s Bill has now been made available online.
CLICK HERE: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (28th January 2025)
Among the issues raised in our submission are “unsolvable problems”, which make any legislation in this area unworkable.
Better Way’s submission warns:
“We wish, at the outset, to stress the fundamental and unsolvable problems with assisted suicide that, in our view, make any legislation in this area unworkable.
“No amount of legal drafting could prevent people feeling pressure to end their lives because they lack sufficient health, social care, or welfare support; because they feel like a burden on others; or because of feelings of hopelessness or despair arising from circumstances in their lives – loneliness, poverty, family breakdown and a host of other factors.”
On the issue of coercion, it adds:
“Controlling or coercive behaviour is a crime that can happen gradually, making it very difficult to identify and prosecute. In addition, victims themselves may not know they are experiencing it. Those tasked with overseeing assisted deaths will not be able to spot the signs of coercion and act to prevent it in every case, even if they receive training, which is not presently required.”
And on suicide prevention, it states:
“This Bill would give expression to the idea that certain suicides are permissible – that there are some people whose lives are not worth living, who should be helped to end their lives. This undermines the guiding principle behind suicide prevention, namely that every life has equal and immense value. Legislating for assisted suicide will create a two-tier society.”
ENDS
Better Way 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.
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Contact us: admin@betterwaycampaign.co.uk