MSPs urged to consult terminally ill on assisted dying Bill

A Holyrood committee has been criticised for not consulting terminally ill people on legislation that would give them the right to end their life.

The Humanist Society Scotland has written to the Health Committee urging it to invite terminally ill people to give evidence before MSPs.

The committee announced a provisional timetable for oral evidence sessions on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill earlier this month.

Humanist Society Scotland said while it includes evidence from disabled people, it would not hear from the people the Bill is aimed at – those with terminal illnesses.

The charity described the committee’s decision as a “significant omission”.

It said: “While disabled people and people living with long-term conditions have rightly been asked to give evidence, the same invitation has not been extended to terminally ill people.

“This is in spite of the fact that Scotland’s assisted dying law would apply exclusively to terminally ill people.

“By contrast, the law would not apply to disabled people.

“Moreover, claims of a ‘slippery slope’, whereby the law would be expanded once in place to include disabled people, have been repeatedly debunked.

“Contrary to the scaremongering propagated by some groups, terminal illness-only models of assisted dying are rarely subject to expansion once in place.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission expressed concerns in September that disabled people risk being pressured to take their own lives under the legislation.

The equalities watchdog said the legislation should have stronger safeguards to ensure disabled people are protected.

“People who are terminally ill under the definition in the Bill are likely to be disabled in line with the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability,” it added.

Humanist Society Scotland chief executive Fraser Sutherland said: “Terminally ill people are overwhelmingly in favour of assisted dying.

“They must have the chance to address the committee and share their perspectives.

“We sincerely hope that the committee will take our letter as evidence of the clear need to revise their schedule.”

The legislation, proposed by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, would allow terminally ill people over the age of 16 to request an end to their life.

Under the Bill, those seeking the treatment would have to have been a resident in Scotland for at least a year, be registered with a GP in the country and be mentally competent.

Campaigners against assisted dying say it could lead to terminally ill people feeling pressured to end their life.

Mr McArthur said the plans would stop people suffering against their will.

Last week, First Minister John Swinney said he was still “wrestling” with whether he would back the Bill.

He said he had not come to a “final view” but said he had significant concerns about it, including the age at which the right to end someone’s life would be given.

Scotland’s Health Secretary has also raised concerns the Bill may be outwith the powers of Holyrood.

Mr McArthur has said he is open to the Bill being amended and that the Scottish and UK governments could work together on the legislation.

A Health, Social Care and Sport Committee spokesperson said: “The Committee is considering the points raised in the correspondence and will respond in due course.”