The Scottish National Party (SNP) has pledged to hold a Citizens’ Assembly that would review the legalisation of assisted suicide in Scotland if the party is re-elected in the May elections. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications, said: “The realization that the SNP is an anti-life, anti-family party is becoming clear as now it chooses to position itself against vulnerable, ill people.”
The Citizens' Assembly of Scotland was established in 2019 and it consists of around 100 citizens from across Scotland. The aim of the Assembly is to deliberate on the vision for Scotland’s future.
Ahead of the Scottish May elections, the SNP has now pledged a future Citizens’ Assembly to discuss the role of assisted suicide in Scotland.
The 2021 Scottish Election takes place on May 6th. Electors in Scotland will be voting for constituency and regional representatives. Currently, the devolved administration in Holyrood has the power to change abortion law and any laws on assisted suicide.
During 2015, fears mounted as Scotland appeared to be on the point of introducing an assisted suicide regime that would allow vulnerable people to be killed by their doctor. However, MSPs voted to reject the assisted suicide legislation by 82 to 36, stating that “it is not lawful to assist someone to commit suicide".
SPUC’s Mr Robinson said: “Assisted suicide fails to protect the right to life of all citizens no matter how weak, vulnerable or disabled their lives may be.
“The SNP now appears to be setting itself against vulnerable people in Scotland by envisioning a society which devalues their lives.
"We must oppose every move to legalise the abhorrent practice of assisted suicide in Britain.”
Using your vote for a pro-life Scotland
The main threats to human life in the next Scottish Parliament are DIY home abortions and assisted suicide.
SPUC has launched a new election resource and is asking all pro-life Scots to please do all they can to be voices for unborn babies and vulnerable people in this election.
You can access the SPUC election resources here.