The human rights group Liberty has raised concerns about the assisted suicide bill set to be debated in the House of Commons on Nov. 29. While supporting assisted suicide in principle, Liberty has highlighted “serious safeguarding risks” in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
According to Akiko Hart, Liberty’s director, the bill lacks precision and could potentially “evolve into something it was never intended to be.” Hart emphasized the need to consider not only those who might benefit from assisted dying but also those who could be harmed by the legislation.
The bill stipulates that only mentally-competent adults who are terminally ill with less than six months to live and have a “settled and informed wish to end their own life” can apply for state-assisted suicide.
However, concerns have been raised by pro-life campaigners who point to examples in countries like Canada where the eligibility limits for assisted suicide have eroded over time despite initial safeguards.
Liberty, along with other critics, has criticized the rushed nature of the bill’s publication less than three weeks before the vote. Hart echoed the sentiment that there are “too many details” in the bill that have not undergone proper scrutiny and are not precise enough.
Issues surrounding state-assisted suicide have brought together political opponents, with both secular and religious, right-wing and left-wing figures voicing opposition to the proposed legislation. The debate on the bill has highlighted concerns about the lack of time for scrutiny and the potential impact on vulnerable populations.
Senior Cabinet figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, have stated that they will not be supporting the bill. The decision on the assisted suicide bill is expected to be a contentious and complex issue in the House of Commons.
Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
