Strong pushback against Scottish assisted suicide proposals
by Carys Moseley, Christian Concern;
Over the Christmas period there has been a strong response to proposals to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland.
Liberal Democrat MSP Liam MacArthur had published proposals for a bill. We called on supporters to respond by the deadline of 22 December 2021. Many Christian and medical organisations have voiced strong and clear opposition to the proposals since then as well. It is worth surveying their statements given that the campaign to legalise assisted suicide is not going away.
Unacceptable pressure on vulnerable people
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference for Scotland highlighted the risk to the lives of the disabled.
“Legalising assisted suicide, which is contrary to the dignity of the human person, would put immeasurable pressure on vulnerable people including those with disabilities to end their lives prematurely, for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden on others.”
CARE for Scotland warned politicians not to fall into the trap of believing that proposed safeguards would prevent abuse.
“No safeguards could ever prevent the invisible pressure on already sick and vulnerable people to consider such an option.”
Junior doctors speak up
Scottish junior doctors sent an open letter to MSPs asking them to oppose the bill. In it they warned that legalising assisted suicide would strain the relationship between doctors and patients as well as with their families.
The letter points out that in Oregon in 2019, 59% of patients who chose assisted suicide said they feared being a burden on their families, friends or caregivers.
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