Campaigners: assisted suicide in Scotland would lead to "unjust deaths"

MSPs have been cautioned that passing controversial legislation to permit assisted suicide in Scotland could result in “unjust deaths.”

The campaign group Better Way insists that assisted suicide it is “inherently, and unavoidably, unsafe,” with no guarantee to prevent “abuses and mistakes, coercion, and people dying due to societal pressures.”

Better Way opposes the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur. The group described assisted suicide as a “dangerous and regressive path for our society.”

As MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee begin scrutinising the Bill, Better Way submitted concerns that patients’ decisions could be unjustly influenced by factors such as socio-economic status, loneliness, or fears of being a burden.

They also warned that the Bill’s definition of terminal illness is very broad, potentially including conditions like anorexia and some disabilities.

The group highlighted confusion over whether dementia sufferers would be eligible for assisted suicide, noting contradictions in the legislation.

Holyrood's Health Committee will begin Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill in the coming weeks.