Scotland has taken a step towards legalising assisted suicide after Members of Scottish Parliament voted in 70-56 in favour of a controversial ‘assisted dying’ bill.
The bill, introduced by Scottish Liberal Democrats MSP Liam McArthur, would enable terminally ill people to lawfully secure assistance from healthcare professionals in killing themselves.
According to the legislation as it currently stands, the person would have to be: terminally ill (have an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition which they cannot recover from, and which is expected to cause their premature death); aged 16 or over; have been resident in Scotland for at least one year and be registered with a GP practice in Scotland; and have “sufficient capacity to make and understand the decision”.
Two doctors would be required to assess the person’s eligibility.
The bill has progressed past the first vote, on the general principles behind the legislation, and faces two further rounds of voting in the future.
During a debate lasting throughout the afternoon, MSPs made the case for and against the legislation.
A number of Scotland’s high profile political figures came out against the bill in recent days, including First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and former first ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.
Taking to X, Mr Swinney said that the debate was conducted “with dignity, courtesy and respect”.
“I could not support the proposal. Significant issues raised about the Bill will now be considered further at Stages 2 and 3 before any final decision is taken by Parliament,” the first minister said.
Supporters of the bill praised it as compassionate legislation that would allow those suffering from terminal illnesses to choose to end their lives.
However, opponents argued that a lack of safeguards would jeopardise Scotland’s most vulnerable, especially those with disabilities.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill now faces further scrutiny, but if ultimately passed, would see Scotland join countries such as Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand in legislating for assisted suicide.
The bill was the third to come before Scottish parliament on the topic of assisted suicide since 2010.
However, it is the only one to have passed the first stage.
It comes in the wake of a vote in British parliament last year to progress a bill legislating for assisted suicide in England and Wales.