Humanists UK is encouraging all of its members and supporters to ask their GPs to back dignity and compassion for everyone by voting in support of assisted dying in the Royal College of General Practitioner’s survey, which closes on 13 December 2019.
Earlier this year the RCGP announced that its 53,000 members across the UK would be surveyed on whether there should be a change in the law to permit assisted dying. Currently, the RCGP is opposed to a change in the law.
Humanists UK actively campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying and is currently supporting Paul Lamb in his legal case. Paul, who is paralysed from the neck down, wants to be able to end his life at the time and in the manner of his choosing if his condition worsens. He argues that the current law – which prohibits any assistance under threat of up to 14 years’ imprisonment – breaches his human rights.
To help ensure everyone has the right to a peaceful, compassionate, and dignified death, Humanists UK is asking for our members and supporters to write to their GP and ask them to back a change in the law.
If you are a member of the RCGP and support a right to die for those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill, we urge you to vote in support. Humanists UK has also prepared the following extra supporting information although we note it is always best to personalise responses:
The right to determine the manner and timing of one’s death is a fundamental human right, and should be available for everyone who is of sound mind and either terminally ill or incurably suffering. It is vital that all human beings are able to live their lives while maintaining their dignity, autonomy, and choice, and that is only possible if the law is changed.
More than one person a week is now forced to travel abroad to end their lives, but many more cannot afford the journey. Now, with nearly 90% of the public supporting a change in the law to enable those who are terminally ill or incurably suffering the right to control their death, and with more countries internationally moving to humane laws, it is more important than ever for the law to be changed. A compassionate law should not privilege those with the means to travel, nor limit a peaceful death to just those likely to die within six months. It would serve to balance autonomy and dignity alongside a robust set of safeguards to protect the most vulnerable.
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK’s press manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanism.org.uk or 020 7324 3078.
Read more about Paul Lamb’s case for the right to die.
Find out more about our work on assisted dying.
Humanists UK believes that individuals who are of sound mind but who are terminally ill or incurably suffering should have a right to decide to end their life at a time and in a manner of their choosing. We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain stringent safeguards, but the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective.
Humanists UK advances free thinking and promotes humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Its work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through its ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, it strives to create a fair and equal society for all.