Category: Assisted Dying
Assisted dying bill reintroduced at Westminster: it needs your support in Scotland
The bill would not apply in Scotland, but there are many reasons to back it nonetheless. We’re encouraging our supporters to write to their MPs in support A new assisted dying bill for England & Wales A new assisted dying…
Humanist Society vows to “keep fighting” for end-of-life choice after assisted dying bill falls at final vote
MSPs have chosen not to back Liam McArthur’s assisted dying bill for Scotland. We’re extremely disappointed that MSPs have voted against legalising assisted dying for Scotland. Liam McArthur’s assisted dying bill was rejected at Holyrood by 69 votes to 57….
Humanist Society co-signs letter urging MSPs to separate fact from fiction ahead of assisted dying vote
On Thursday 12 March we shared a letter composed by our allies at Friends at the End and signed by dozens of representatives of human rights organisations, politicians and academics. It urged MSPs to separate fact from fiction ahead of…
A summary of key amendments to the assisted dying bill
This week, MSPs have been debating the more than 300 proposed amendments to Liam McArthur’s assisted dying bill. Some notable changes have been made to the bill, which should help the required number of MSPs to back change when the…
We’re urging our members and supporters to write to their MSPs in support of assisted dying ahead of next week’s crucial vote
If you’re reading this, we want your help. The Opposition is flooding MSPs’ inboxes. We need you to write to your elected representatives in support of Scotland’s assisted dying bill. Next Tuesday, 17 March, MSPs will hold the final vote…
Humanist Society Scotland in 2026: The Year Ahead
What has 2026 got in store for the humanist movement in Scotland? With Holyrood elections looming and a new parliament starting in May, we’ve got work to do. Here’s the lowdown on our key campaign areas. Assisted dying Our most…
Assisted dying bill for England and Wales passes through House of Commons
We are delighted that an assisted dying bill for terminally ill people in England and Wales has passed through the House of Commons. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill won its final Commons vote with 314 in favour,…
Win for assisted dying in stage one vote
We are delighted that a once-in-a-generation bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has passed a first-stage vote. In a huge win for choice and compassion, the bill passed by 70 votes to 56, with one abstention. This ensures the…
Humanist Society Scotland CEO calls for lawmakers to be “bold, brave, and compassionate” ahead of crucial assisted dying vote
With a once-in-a-generation vote on assisted dying for Scotland just hours away, we’re urging lawmakers to be bold and listen to the overwhelming public support for change. Let’s not forget, voting against assisted dying is not a neutral position. To…
We welcome Church of Scotland decision to take neutral stance on assisted dying
We are delighted that the Church of Scotland will alter its position on assisted dying, as our CEO Fraser Sutherland told The Guardian. A story published in The Guardian on 7 May reported that the Church of Scotland is expected…
Why my grandad should have the choice of an assisted death
In August 2023 Thomas Higgins was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer at the age of 71. His family are now witnessing him suffer relentlessly in the final months of his life. His grandson Joe, our Policy and Campaigns Officer,…