A disabled academic and campaigner has been barred from participating in a debate on assisted suicide at a Scottish university due to a lack of wheelchair access.
Dr Miro Griffiths accepted an offer to take part in an event at The University of Edinburgh but was later told that he could no longer be accommodated as a lift at the venue wouldn’t cope with his power wheelchair.
Commenting on the snub, Dr Griffiths, who was awarded an MBE for services to disabled people, said: “l don’t wish to criticise the students who organised the debate, who have been very apologetic, but there’s a dark irony to this whole situation.
“Disabled people would be disproportionately harmed by an assisted suicide law, yet their voices are being screened out. Legislation is being progressed in the face of opposition from disabled people’s organisations across the UK.
“Society excludes disabled people and those with significant health conditions through inaccessible environments, negative attitudes, and non-supportive policies. This affects how people value themselves and decide whether life is worth living.
“Repeatedly being denied access and support sends a clear message to disabled people – your participation has no value. Campaigners fail to acknowledge that inequality will make disabled people feel pressure to end their lives.”
High profile debate
Speakers at the debate will include Liam McArthur MSP, who’s behind an assisted suicide Bill at Holyrood, and a spokeswoman for the Association of Palliative Medicine, whose members are strongly opposed to the practice.
Mr McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has reached Stage 2 consideration at the Scottish Parliament, with a Westminster Bill from Labour MP Kim Leadbeater currently being scrutinised in the House of Lords.
Dr Griffiths continued: “I would urge politicians to oppose assisted suicide before it’s too late. As an academic who has focused on this issue for many years, I have no doubt that the legalisation of this practice harms the most marginalised most of all.
“In Canada, four in ten ‘assisted deaths’ that occurred between 2019 and 2023 involved citizens who required disability support – more than 1,000 of whom hadn’t received the support they required. There’s an intense risk of disabled people ending their lives.
“Other Canadian studies show significant rates of people requesting assisted death who have mental health conditions such as depression, significant rates of people citing that they are a burden on others, and people citing loneliness and isolation.
“Instead of enshrining assisted death, politicians should pursue truly progressive policies. By enhancing support for terminally ill and disabled people and upholding blanket suicide prevention, they can create a more just and inclusive society.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The debate at the University of Edinburgh has been organised by Edinburgh Union and will take place on 06 October. Click the button called ‘Term Card’ here to find out more
Better Way opposes assisted suicide, sets out an alternative vision, and provides a platform for marginalised voices. The campaign is supported by experts in medicine, disability advocacy, sociology and other fields.
You can access a HD picture of Dr Griffiths here. Please credit ‘Better Way’. Contact us: admin@betterwaycampaign.co.uk