Assisted dying: Could new Scottish bill decriminalize suicide in the UK?

A bill has been tabled in the Scottish Parliament that would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to get help to end their own lives.

If the bill passes, Scotland will become the first country in the UK to allow residents to undergo euthanasia.

The Assisted Dying Bill was drafted by Lib Dem MP Liam McArther, who said current laws on assisted dying “are leaving too many terminally ill Scots let down at the end of their lives”.

“We can and must do better. That’s why I’m releasing a bill on assisted dying.”

Dame Esther Rantzen praised the “historic” legislation. The TV presenter, who has stage 4 lung cancer, announced in December that she had joined Swiss euthanasia organization Dignitas.

“I received dozens of letters from people describing the painful deaths of their loved ones,” she said.

“This is literally a matter of life and death and I believe terminally ill patients like me need and should have access to this option if our lives become unbearable.”

Under current legislation, assisted suicide is illegal in all four countries in the UK. Laws vary slightly from country to country, but doing so often constitutes a serious crime ranging from manslaughter to murder.

Currently, it is estimated that one British adult travels to Switzerland every eight days to seek euthanasia support from Dignitas.

However, doing so is expensive and complex. According to British charity Dying with Diginity, traveling to Switzerland for assisted dying can cost up to £10,000 after travel costs and Dignitas fees.

Is it possible that the euthanasia bill will be passed?

Two previous attempts to pass similar legislation in Holyrood failed, but Mr MacArthur claimed public support was now “overwhelming”.

“I believe we are now seeing the necessary political support from all parties to achieve this long overdue reform,” he wrote.

A recent poll showed that more than three quarters (78%) of Scots support euthanasia legislation. In 2023, the number of Dignitas UK members increased to 1,900, an increase of 24%.

Crucially, members of the Scottish Parliament are expected to give the bill a free vote, despite First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar saying they do not believe in the new legislation.

This means that when the bill comes to a vote in the autumn, the leaders of Holyrood parties will not tell their members which line to vote for.

Will the Bill allow people from other countries in the UK to access assisted dying services?

If the bill passes the Scottish Parliament, it will allow people from surrounding countries to travel to Scotland to receive euthanasia. However, there are several conditions.

Importantly, anyone wishing to receive assistance to end their life in Scotland must have lived in the country “normally” for at least 12 months. This means it is their country of residence and there are only normal absences such as holidays or business travel.

For other eligible adults, this will be the biggest hurdle. This situation does not exist in Switzerland, so those who wish to end their life within 12 months and can afford the cost still have the option of going to Dignitas.

Last year, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said he planned to give MPs a free vote on euthanasia in the UK if he became prime minister. In 2015, the north London MP backed a bill to legalize euthanasia, but it was rejected by MPs.