Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who has a disability, has slammed plans to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland as “dangerous” for people with disabilities.

Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications, said: “If assisted suicide is legalised in Scotland, disabled people would be put at risk. Instead of protecting vulnerable people, the legislation offers death as a substitute for love and care.”

Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, a permanent wheelchair user, has spoken out against assisted suicide after it emerged, yesterday, that a bill is to be presented at Holyrood to legalise assisted death in Scotland.

If successful, the suicide bill will allow Scottish adults to take lethal drugs to end their lives.

Ms Duncan-Glancy said: “I am deeply worried about this. Disabled people do not yet enjoy our right to live equally. I’d far rather we had a right to live enshrined in law… This is dangerous for disabled people.”

The Glasgow MSP also said that the Scottish Government should ensure that “living is better for disabled people than death” by investing in improved care.

Since the suicide bill was introduced yesterday, concerns have mounted among disability rights campaigners, who have said that the prospect of assisted suicide in Scotland “strikes fear into their hearts”.

Putting pressure on vulnerable people

SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “Offering people the choice to end their lives creates pressure for them to choose death. Where assisted suicide is legal, life is soon made to feel like an apparent burden on others.

“For example, in Washington State in 2018, 51% of people who were killed by assisted suicide said that being a burden on family, friends and caregivers was a reason to end their lives. Similarly, in Oregon in 2018, 54.2% of people killed by assisted suicide said that being such a burden was a reason to end their lives.

“Assisted suicide is not a matter of choice. Once the law is changed, safeguards can be quickly eroded.

“Moreover, the expectation would soon arise that sick, disabled and elderly people should choose assisted suicide. For many, the only ‘choice’ to make would be death, not life.

“This legislation must be opposed, condemned and rejected outright. The law must not be changed.”

Defend the vulnerable

Holyrood is expected to hold a consultation on assisted suicide this autumn.

SPUC will be providing a briefing for supporters in Scotland that will provide information on how to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on assisted suicide.  

You can find more information on SPUC’s campaign against assisted suicide here. Join with us to defend the vulnerable.