While the Westminster Parliament debate on assisted suicide is on hold, the Scottish Parliament will be holding its final, Stage 3 vote on its Assisted Suicide bill on Tuesday 17 March.
Having been proposed by Liam McArthur MSP, this bill has had over 400 amendments submitted. There isn’t a second chamber to seek approval, so this vote is binding and once it’s passed, it’s passed.
Nearly 200 medical professionals have already written to MSPs warning that in their “professional judgement, the Bill as it stands does not contain sufficiently robust safeguards to protect patients from coercion, untreated mental illness, or unmet social and palliative care needs.”
This bill is just as flawed as the one we have seen in Westminster. The British Society on Geriatrics says it is “unsafe for the people of Scotland”, adding “the bill does not contain adequate safeguards to protect older people, the biggest group to be impacted, nor does it protect healthcare professionals who do not wish to participate in the assisted dying process.”
That’s why we need to do all we can to make sure MSPs vote against this bill, which fails both patients and healthcare workers.
One MSP who has already withdrawn their support, having initially voted for the bill, stating, “I am not convinced that coercion – especially subtle or internal pressure – can be realistically identified or prevented in vulnerable individuals.”
So, it’s clear, there is a big chance this bill can be defeated.
If you are in Scotland, you can find out how you can write to your MSP, urging them to speak and vote against this flawed piece of legislation that will have serious consequences for tens of thousands of lives.
But this matters to all of us – a vote for assisted suicide in Scotland would bolster calls for UK-wide legislation. If you are not in Scotland, please could you urge any friends and family there to take action?
Visit Christian Concern’s website to find out how to contact your MSP and what to include.
Source: Christian concern
Pray for Scotland are also gathering people to pray about the bill. They also said this,
“Very interestingly – we have just learned that also on Tuesday 10th the Jersey Parliament will be debating a proposal to extend their Bill even further,despite it only having been recently passed, by adding ‘unbearable suffering’ to the criteria. This will make the Jersey Bill the most liberal – very like Canada’s – a clear demonstration of the ‘slippery slope’ that can start once these Bills become law.
In Scotland, thanks to all the letters, emails, lobbying and prayers, it is now estimated that as few as 4 or 5 MSPs need to change their minds and vote against the Scottish Bill for it to be defeated – that vote is expected on the 17thor 18th March. So we have a great opportunity for a final push in prayer on Monday.”
They will be having a prayer call on 16th March. Join their email list for more details https://www.prayforscotland.org.uk.
