UK Faith Leaders Oppose Assisted Dying Bill Progression

Religious leaders from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in the UK had united to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which aims to allow terminally ill adults with six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives. The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, states that two doctors must assess the request and confirm that the decision is voluntary, after which a high court judge would grant final permission for an ‘approved substance’ to be self-administered. Despite these safeguards, faith leaders have co-signed a letter expressing concern. They fear the legislation could pressure vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and disabled, into ending their lives prematurely, pointing to examples from Canada and the US where safeguards reportedly failed to protect marginalized groups. On 29 Nov, the House of Commons voted in favor of the Bill by 330 votes to 275, allowing it to progress to further scrutiny and amendments before becoming law. A similar Bill was defeated in 2015. Supporters of the Bill, including former UK PM David Cameron and British Indian Conservative MP Neil Shastri-Hurst, argue that the Bill provides choice and autonomy for those facing imminent death. Opponents, such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, caution that ‘the state should never offer death as a service.’ The legislation includes strict safeguards, including a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying.