Image: (left) Wikipedia Commons : (John Swinney – First Minister (53720492021))
Scotland finds itself at a critical moral crossroads as MSP Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill advances through Holyrood. The Bill would permit terminally ill adults with mental capacity, after being residents for at least twelve months, to receive medical assistance to end their lives. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has called this legislation “discriminatory,” warning that it poses an “insurmountable risk to disabled peoples’ equality and human rights”
SPUC stands firm in opposing this dangerous trajectory. Deeply concerned by the Bill’s progress at Stage 1, SPUC asks Scots to urge every MSP to consider the great dangers inherent in assisted suicide.
Critically, this Bill introduces several troubling features. First, use of assisted suicide risks expanding far beyond its stated boundaries. SPUC warns that in countries that have legalised so-called assisted dying, safeguards are swiftly eroded, and the most vulnerable are put at risk” Second, legal experts caution that weak safeguards may leave those with disabilities exposed to coercion or pressure.
Even the Law Society of Scotland has criticized the Bill as “not fit for purpose,” citing concerns over vague provisions regarding medical assessments and the unclear role of solicitors and health professionals
Pro-life advocates hold that true compassion lies not in hastening death, but in promoting dignified, supportive care that safeguards life, particularly for those most vulnerable. Allowing health professionals to assist in suicide undermines human dignity and sets a dangerous precedent for individuals suffering from disability, mental anguish, or social marginalisation.
Scotland must stand firm, not only to protect its citizens from coercive policies, but to uphold a culture of care, hope, and protection—values that SPUC and other pro-life voices tirelessly champion.
