A golden sunset over the water on the Isle of Man.

Humanist Society welcomes vote in favour of assisted dying on Isle of Man

November 2, 2023

The Isle of Man’s parliament has voted in favour of a bill to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill people. The Assisted Dying Bill won a vote following its second reading at the Isle of Man’s parliament by 70% (17…

Humanist Society welcomes vote in favour of assisted dying on Isle of Man
An uopened letter with a wax seal across the flap sits on a table.

Writing to reach you: our unanswered letters on assisted dying to Humza Yousaf and his health secretary

September 26, 2023

With new polling from Yougov showing an overwhelming majority of Scots support assisted dying, we’ve been thinking about some unanswered letters we sent earlier this year….. The day after Humza Yousaf’s election as first minister, we wrote to him requesting…

Writing to reach you: our unanswered letters on assisted dying to Humza Yousaf and his health secretary
Humza Yousaf and Michael Matheson sit in a circle of people on chairs having a discussion. Humza wears a suit and Michael wears a shirt and tie.

Large majority of religious people in Scotland support assisted dying, new poll shows

September 19, 2023

A new poll from Yougov shows that most religious people in Scotland support legalising assisted dying. The evidence, commissioned by Dignity in Dying and gathered during July 2023, reveals that 64% of people who identify with a particular religion support…

Large majority of religious people in Scotland support assisted dying, new poll shows
The Edinburgh skyline in black and white, with spires and classical columns rising up.

New poll shows disabled people in Scotland overwhelmingly support assisted dying

September 18, 2023

New research conducted by YouGov shows that 79% of disabled people in Scotland support legalising assisted dying. The research, undertaken during July 2023, also reveals that a slightly higher percentage of disabled people support legalising assisted dying than the figure…

New poll shows disabled people in Scotland overwhelmingly support assisted dying

No higher power has the right to dictate the terms of our death

September 15, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland has today refuted religious arguments put against the right to an assisted death by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. On 13 September a representative of the leadership of the Catholic Church in Scotland wrote to The Herald….

No higher power has the right to dictate the terms of our death
Humza Yousaf talks at a podium in front of a black curtain. He wears a blue suit and tartan tie.

Humza Yousaf turns down meeting with Humanist Society on assisted dying

August 15, 2023

Four and a half months after we sent a letter to Humza Yousaf requesting a meeting to make our case on assisted dying, we have received a reply. While it responds partially to one of our requests, it turns down…

Humza Yousaf turns down meeting with Humanist Society on assisted dying
Sunset in the Trossachs. A salmon=pink and blue sky above mountain ranges in the distance and moorland covered in trees and mist in the foreground.

Humanist Society has its say on assisted dying in the media

May 22, 2023

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland has been getting our views on assisted dying across on the radio and in the news. He’s been talking in response to an event held at Holyrood by faith leaders on 18 May, outlining their opposition…

Humanist Society has its say on assisted dying in the media
An image of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood with Calton Hill and the city of Edinburgh in the background.

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf

April 25, 2023

The current parliamentary term could be a pivotal time for humanism in Scotland. We look forward to the passing of a law to protect women from harassment outside abortion clinics, and we hope that new rules will follow to ensure…

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf
A selfie photograph of Jackie. She wears a yellow and blue abstract patterned blouse, has short blond hair and earrings, and smiles at the camera.

Humanist Society interview series: Jackie Roberts, Dignity in Dying campaigner

April 24, 2023

At Humanist Society Scotland we believe passionately in everyone’s right to die in the way they want to. We are currently campaigning for moderate, compassionate assisted dying laws alongside our allies at Dignity in Dying and Friends at The End….

Humanist Society interview series: Jackie Roberts, Dignity in Dying campaigner
Humza Yousaf talks at a podium in front of a black curtain. He wears a blue suit and tartan tie.

Humanist Society requests assisted dying meeting with Humza Yousaf

March 27, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland has written to the new SNP leader Humza Yousaf to request a meeting on the bill to legalise assisted dying that will shortly come before Holyrood. Mr Yousaf, who was elected as the next candidate for first…

Humanist Society requests assisted dying meeting with Humza Yousaf
A picture of Humza Yousaf in a blue suit and tartan tie in a living room-type space with lamp and painting in the background. He is shown from the torso up and is positioned to the right of shot, smiling at the camera.

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf

Humanist Society Scotland notes the election of Humza Yousaf as new leader of the Scottish National Party and candidate for first minister of Scotland. We wish Mr Yousaf all the best in his new role and look forward to working…

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf