Scottish Catholic Observer

A spokesman for the Care Not Killing (CNK) umbrella group behind the petition, which includes Catholic Church representatives, said opposition is growing to the bill. CNK has called on its supporters to make their views known to their MSPs, who will vote on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill later this year.

Gordon Macdonald of the campaign said they were ‘delighted with the support we are receiving.’

“The numbers signing our petition are growing every day as more people become aware of the details in the proposed legislation,” he said. “As it stands, ‘licensed facilitators’—those as young as 16—who would be approved by the law to help individuals—also as young as 16—to take their own lives.”

MSPs have been hearing evidence on the bill, which is being taken forward by Green MSP Patrick Harvie after initially being introduced by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald.

CNK’s Mr Macdonald went on to suggest that support for the bill has been declining as it comesunder greater scrutiny.

“In recent weeks as the bill has been scrutinised we have witnessed repeated and sustained criticism from a variety of sources and for a range of reasons because it is so badly drafted—leading experts in medicine and palliative care, top lawyers and experienced ethicists all expressing serious and genuine concerns,” he said. “This is a poorly written, badly constructed Bill and the sheer numbers of people who have criticised whole parts of it, quite aside from any moral or ethical objections, only highlight the problems with the legislation.”

Holyrood’s health committee will publish a report on the plans next month before MSPs vote on whether to approve the change or reject it.

See the petition at http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/scotland/petition/

—[email protected]