Bill to legalize assisted suicide in Scotland draws criticism | Catholic National Register

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The content of the bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, is expected to be discussed later this year.

A new bill to legalize assisted suicide in Scotland has been criticized for the impact it could have on the lives of people with disabilities.

The content of the bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, is expected to be discussed later this year.

Anthony Horan, director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: People of all faiths and none oppose assisted suicide because it has a profoundly harmful impact not only on individuals and families. affected families, but also vulnerable people. groups, including people with disabilities.

The legalization of assisted suicide puts immeasurable pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives prematurely for fear of being a financial, emotional or caring burden on others, and it undermines suicide prevention efforts. , did he declare.

Horan added that the removal of protections and guarantees is inevitable.

It’s no surprise that a majority of physicians involved in end-of-life care oppose assisted suicide, he said. To deliberately cause the death of a patient is to cross the Rubicon for a profession charged with always acting in the best interest of the patient and doing no harm first. PSM should prevent suicide, not help it.

A member of parliament openly criticized the bill. Scottish Labor Party member Pam Duncan-Glancy, who has a disability, said plans to legalize assisted suicide are dangerous for people with disabilities.

She wrote on Twitter:

I am deeply concerned about this. People with disabilities do not yet enjoy our right to live equally. I would much prefer that we have the legal right to live, long before we have the right to die. As long as all things are not equal, it is dangerous for people with disabilities.

We need to make sure that life is better for people with disabilities than death, Duncan-Glancy added in a comment. This means properly funded care, accessible housing, equal access to health care and employment, etc. My fear is that this is all costing more and the government has not committed enough money for it.

Assisted suicide was last debated by the Scottish Parliament in 2015, when it was rejected by 82 votes to 36.

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