Scotland’s First Minister has expressed agreement with the idea that an assisted suicide regime would harm the human rights of disabled citizens.
During First Minister’s Questions at the Scottish Parliament today, John Swinney was asked for his view on a recent legal opinion making this argument.
Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy – who is spearheading opposition to assisted suicide legislation at Holyrood – asked Mr Swinney:
“Legal advice published this week concluded that the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would not be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and I quote, ‘because without justification it contains no adequate safeguard protecting the position of those with disabilities where suicidal ideation is more likely and who are, because of that feature of the disability, more likely to express a wish to die’. In particular, indicating that this would breach Article 14 which prohibits discrimination So, can I ask the first Minister whether he agrees with me that this presents an unsurmountable risk to disabled people’s equality and human rights in Scotland if the assisted dying bill were to pass?”
The First Minister replied:
“First of all, let me say that the government takes a neutral stance on the assisted dying bill, which is before Parliament just now. It’s a member’s bill, it’s not a government bill and the government takes a neutral stance. So, I can only express a personal opinion to Pam Duncan-Glancy. As Pam Duncan-Glancy will know I do not support the assisted dying bill and I don’t support it for many of the reasons that she has just put on the record. So, I have enormous personal sympathy with the point that she raises. These are issues that parliament will have to wrestle with as it considers the legislation. But I can only express to her my agreement with the point that she’s made.”
Welcoming the First Minister’s comments, Better Way spokesman Dr Miro Griffiths – a disability studies scholar – said:
“I’m encouraged to hear the First Minister endorse serious concerns about the Holyrood assisted suicide bill. As Mr Swinney heard today, legal experts have cautioned that this legislation is incompatible with the human rights of disabled people – an assertion that every MSP should take very seriously.
“Disabled people are already made to feel like their lives are not worth living because of the battles they face. Raising the option of state-assisted death with a disabled person who is depressed and marginalised would be a form of coercion. Due to inequality, they’d feel a pressure to die that others would not experience.
“Instead of enshrining assisted death, MSPs should devote their energy to positive and progressive policies that improve the lives of Scottish citizens. By enhancing ethical forms of 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 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