Scotland's parliament considers assisted dying as poll shows support
Legislation that would that would allow Scots with a terminal illness to take their own lives brought to parliament Thursday, backed by most of the population.
If the legislation is passed, Scotland would join other countries such as Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Austria and Ecuador in allowing assisted dying in certain circumstances.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life.
The legislation would include safeguards such as independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. There would be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year.
Individuals would need to self-administer the substance that will end their life.
The plan was put forward in a private members' bill by Liam McArthur, a Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish parliament, who this week said that he "absolutely convinced" the legislation will be passed because there is growing public support for the policy.
A survey by the campaign group Dignity in Dying, which campaigns in favour of legalisation, found that more than three quarters of Scots were in favour of the policy.
Opponents of the legislation said the poll does not reflect the change in attitudes once the dangers are highlighted.
A vote in Scotland's devolved parliament on the legislation is not expected for at least several months.
Scotland's semi-autonomous government, which has control over areas such as healthcare, education and some taxation, has in the past diverged on policy from the three other countries in the United Kingdom - England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For example, Scotland set up Britain's first official supervised drug consumption room in an attempt to reduce infectious diseases and overdoses.
Britain's Labour leader Keir Starmer, who polls predict will be the next prime minister, has said he wants assisted dying to be legalised after the next election.
Most Read News
-
Spain opens war crimes probe into Netanyahu over Israel'
-
Azerbaijan’s president, Armenian premier to hold talks i
-
Brazil rejects Trump's ‘interference’ in former leader’s
-
South African president hits back after Trump's BRICS re
-
Doha discussions focus on framework for Gaza ceasefire n
-
Japan dubs US tariffs 'truly regrettable,' vows to do 'e
-
EU Parliament backs Bulgaria’s Eurozone entry from Janua
-
Gaza death toll nears 57,600 amid relentless Israeli att
-
US tariff uncertainty deepens trade strain on developing
-
Death toll from flash floods in US state of Texas rises