Opponents of assisted dying to make case against legislation

LibDem MSP Liam McArthur’s bill, if fully approved, would allow terminally ill people to seek medical help to end their lives.

This month, he lodged a number of amendments to his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill ahead of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee beginning its stage 2 scrutiny on November 4.

MSPs were given a vote of conscience on May 13, not having to stick to party lines, with the margin it passed by – 70 in favour versus 56 against – larger than most expected.

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“It was a vote to continue the conversation. They decided to vote in favour to have more time for consideration, and now those MSPs will have time to reflect on those issues,” said Anthony Horan, director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

Several MSPs who cast their vote in favour of the bill said they did so to continue the conversation – but remained to be fully convinced of the merits of McArthur’s bill.

Horan continued: “It has been tough for MSPs, and we should acknowledge that.

“But we must also acknowledge how significant this law is, and MSPs cannot afford one single mistake under this law. This is a matter of life and death.

“I don’t think this bill is reversible, and I do think there is a significant concern even among those who voted in favour.

“People will look back and see which MSPs voted in favour of this law, and in the case of a wrongful death, they will need to account for that … that’s where we need to make sure MSPs are aware of the dangers”.

Horan is among those of a religious background to criticise the bill – with it being branded a “state-run suicide service”.

Those in favour of it, such as the Friends at the End Charity, highlighted that people who can access

assisted death are already going to die, and by assisting them, they are brought relief instead of pain.

McArthur emphasised his belief that: “As my bill moves forward, I know my MSP colleagues will want to look closely at the detail and consider the compelling evidence supporting a change in the law.”

Another fear raised by the likes of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is coercion – people feeling pressured to accept an early death.

It stated: “We have evidence from other jurisdictions where it is already legal that people who opted for assisted death declared that they felt abandoned. It should set alarm bells ringing, very, very loudly.”

Also pointing to other countries with the law already in place, Horan claims there is a risk of eligibility criteria being expanded.

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He continued: “I was astonished that MSPs weren’t moved by the threat of this bill towards people who struggle with poor mental health; we’ve heard evidence that people with eating disorders like anorexia could be covered under this bill, and vulnerable women are at risk of being coerced by abusive partners.

“I think the reality of this and what it means for health and social care going forward, and how we value human beings, hasn’t sunk in yet with MSPs.”

Campaign For Dignity in Dying shared that around 300 million people around the world have legal access to assisted dying, so people do not suffer against their wishes.

Those in favour point to no assisted dying law being repealed as evidence of its success in practice.

In his speech, MSP McArthur added: “I’m confident parliament will back my proposals to give terminally ill adults the choice they need.”

Horan says groups including his own, opposed to the legislation, will continue their efforts to win over Scotland’s politicians.

“We are opposed to the principle, and many aspects of the bill are concerning as well, and we will draw people’s attention to those,” he said.

Reflecting on the first vote, he added: “If our concerns for whatever reasons did not hit the mark, our conversations with MSPs will continue, as well as from the wider Catholic community in Scotland.”