The Free Church of Scotland Public Engagement Group has responded to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for evidence in relation to the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
Rev Stephen Allison, Public Engagement Co-ordinator, said: “The Group expressed serious concerns about the proposed legislation which would introduce assisted suicide in Scotland. We are urging politicians to reject the legislation because it would mean that Scottish society has lost in the inherent value of all human life and would put undue pressure on the most vulnerable in our society.
“We agree with Liam McArthur that we should seek as a society to “create a new standard for how we die” but proposals for assisted suicide are not the way to achieve this. Instead, there is a need for much greater investment in palliative care for those facing death and support for their family and friends. A truly compassionate and just society would recognise that all life has intrinsic value and dignity – regardless of our circumstances. It would seek to do all that we can to care well for the whole person.”
Professor Bob Akroyd, Moderator of the 2023 General Assembly said in response to the Assisted Dying bill: “I am opposed to this bill because I am concerned about the welfare of vulnerable people, and I am concerned about safeguarding the value of all human lives. Positively, I want to say no to assisted suicide because I think we should say yes to expanding access to palliative care services in Scotland. At the end of her life, my wife Heather was cared for at the Marie Curie hospice here in Edinburgh. I can personally testify to the value of good palliative care to ensure both dignity and quality of life.”
The Free Church of Scotland has a history of opposing attempts to introduce euthanasia or assisted suicide into Scots law. Professor Donald Macdonald gave evidence to the Health Committee in relation to previous attempts to introduce assisted suicide. A few years ago, he wrote an article for Rutherford House setting out the Christian case against Euthanasia.
In May this year, the Public Engagement Group also supported Miles Briggs’ proposed Right to Palliative Care (Scotland) Bill.
Click here to view the Public Engagement Group’s response to the Call for Evidence for the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill adults (Scotland).
The Group would encourage as many as possible (including individuals with a medical or care background) to respond to the Call for Evidence in relation to the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The deadline for responding is 16th August 2024.