Assisted suicide legislation before the Scottish Parliament is “incompatible” with disability rights, MSPs have heard.
Dr Miro Griffiths MBE appeared before Holyrood’s Health Committee this morning, alongside opponents of a Holyrood Assisted Dying Bill.
During the oral evidence session, Dr Griffiths told MSPs that the “state has a role and responsibility to protect disabled people”.
He added that assisted suicide is “incompatible with the principle of disability rights and the [state’s] responsibility to protect disabled people”.
Dr Griffiths, who spoke to MSPs on behalf of disability group Not Dead Yet UK, argued that: “Every life is worth living and every life should have support to go on living”.
Stressing the lack of support available to disabled people, he questioned why assisted suicide would be considered whilst “there are issues that could be resolved”.
Dr Griffiths noted the danger of assisted death being available to people who are also trying to get accessible housing and support from the state, citing troubling reports from Canada.
“So many communities facing injustice will be presented with this as a choice, but it will seem like a path they have to go down due to the inequalities they face”, he added.
Commenting on ‘safeguarding’ problems in the legislation, the academic further stated that doctors will not approach decisions impartially:
“I’ve seen nothing that illustrates how you prevent a network of medical professionals…who become the ‘go to people’ when it comes to accessing assisted suicide.”
In concluding remarks to MSPs, he said a change in the law would create a “twin track approach” in society where some people are offered support and protected from suicide, and others, including disabled people, lack protection.
ENDS
Better Way campaign opposes assisted suicide, sets out an alternative vision, and provides a platform for marginalised voices. The campaign is supported by experts in several fields including medicine, disability advocacy, and sociology.
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