Famous Scots urge MSPs to support assisted suicide bill

February 12, 2015

A number of famous Scots have signed a letter to MSPs urging them to support the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.

Among their numbers are three Distinguished Supporters of HSS: Prof. Richard Wiseman, author Christopher Brookmyre and Makar Liz Lochhead.

Here is the text of the letter:
“We are sending this letter to urge MSPs to support for the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. We believe that people suffering intolerably from a terminal or life shortening condition should be allowed to request reasonable assistance to end their lives. The Bill contains sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable groups and to prevent undue coercion. No family member or anyone who benefits financially can be involved in any way; two doctors, on two separate occasions, must state that the individual qualifies; an independent, trained and licensed facilitator will be able to provide comfort and support. Perhaps most crucially, the individual concerned is the only one who can take the final action to end their own lives, drugs cannot be administered by a doctor or anyone else.

We understand this measure is controversial and that will only be a small number of individuals each year who choose this route. However, as a society, we need to look after those who are suffering so much pain at the end of their lives. Whilst it is crucial that no one is coerced in any way to end their lives, it is equally unacceptable for those who would not wish to take this action to prevent others from having the choice available to them. For MSPs or anyone else who has questions about the content of the Bill, we would urge them to visit www.lifedeathchoice.org.uk before making up their mind about whether or not they support the legislation. The public support for this legislation is at an all-time high and we urge MSPs to catch up with their constituents and pass this legislation.”