New Zealanders have just voted to legalise assisted dying, joining many other countries. Public polling in Scotland shows that 76% are in favour of assisted dying being debated in Holyrood, and a recent BMA (British Medical Association) survey showed a significant change – only 39% of members are now against legalising self-administered end of life drugs.
“Watching and listening to my grandmother beg for an end to her life because of the insufferable pain she was in is something that will live with me forever, but it is nothing in comparison to what she went through. Across the country, people are experiencing unnecessary, prolonged and painful deaths because the current system does not accommodate dying people to have the choice of a dignified death. It is cruel to force people to endure what I witnessed my grandmother endure, she wanted a dignified death but was denied even that. That is why I am calling on the SNP to allow members a debate on assisted dying in the hope that we can adopt a policy that safeguards the rights of dying people.” – Josh Aaron-Mennie, SNP Activist and National Convener of ‘Out for Independence’.
See results of the British Medical Association’s ‘Physician-assisted dying survey’.
Read details on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.
Details on Scotland’s ‘End of Life Choices‘ cross party group.