The Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into assisted dying. You can take part by answering a short, six-question survey. Below we’ve provided guidance on what to say. It’s important that you respond to the survey in a way that is unique to you. We have created some guidance for you but please add your personal story to it. The deadline to reply is 20 January.
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Guidance on the questions:
Question 1:
We suggest responding: ‘I broadly disagree with the law on this issue in England and Wales’.
Question 2:
Parliament needs to hear the personal stories that shape our views on assisted dying. If a friend or loved one experienced a painful or undignified death, please share their story here. Otherwise, let them know about the humanist values that shape your views, such as the importance of bodily autonomy and the freedom to make decisions about your own life and death.
Question 3:
We suggest checking the boxes: ‘Personal autonomy’, ‘personal dignity’ and ‘reducing suffering’.
Question 4:
Please answer as you see fit.
Question 5:
There are many things that would help move the assisted debate forward, such as a citizens’ assembly, similar to the one held in Jersey. Please answer as you see fit.
Question 6:
Please answer as you see fit.
What happens next?
The inquiry will accept evidence until 20 January. Once the evidence session has closed, the Committee will write a report with several conclusions and suggestions. The time it takes to write such reports varies greatly. But once it is published, the Government will then have three months to respond.
Will responding make a difference?
Absolutely. Sharing your personal story with the Committee is the most important thing you can do. While we cannot guarantee that the Committee will recommend in favour of legalising assisted dying, the weight of international and local evidence overwhelmingly shows that a compassionate law is the right direction for the UK.
What does Humanists UK want the committee to do?
Humanists UK believes that the committee must listen to people directly impacted by the law on this matter. Hundreds of people in the UK are dying painful, drawn-out, undignified deaths in this country and they deserve the ability to make their own choices at the end of their lives.
We want the committee to listen to them, and their friends and loved ones. While evidence from doctors, palliative care specialists, international experts and others is vital, we cannot have this debate in the first place without understanding what is wrong with the status quo and listening to individuals who want choices at the end of their lives.
Is there anything to stop me from doing more than one response?
Please don’t submit more than one response to the inquiry. We have noted that there is no identifier to stop multiple responses or to stop responses from abroad. This issue has been raised with the Committee.