After an emotionally-charged debate, the Scottish Parliament on March 17 rejected a bill that would have made Scotland the first U.K. country to legalize assisted suicide.
The three-hour-long debate ended with the bill failing by a 69-57 margin, with one member abstaining, short of the 64 votes needed to pass. Twelve members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who supported the bill at Stage 1 of its introduction abandoned their support after the debate, including members of the Scottish National Party, Labour party and Conservative party.
During the debate, notable MSPs Jamie Hepburn, Daniel Johnson and Brian Whittle publicly announced they would drop their support.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Liam McArthur, a Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP in 2024, would have granted terminally ill adults who are mentally competent and residents of Scotland for at least a year the right to end their life through medical assistance.
Last May, a 70-56 parliament vote favored the bill in its first voting stage. After an amendment at Stage 2, the bill moved to Stage 3 for a final vote.
Scottish Christian leaders expressed their delight that the bill was defeated, including the Rev. Alasdair Macleod, moderator of the Free Church of Scotland.
“This decision affirms that every human life is precious and worthy of protection,” Macleod said. “As Christians we believe that human life is a gift from God, and that our calling as a society is to care for one another, especially in times of weakness, illness, and suffering.”
Macleod also called for a “collective focus shifting to what we can safely and compassionately achieve,” which includes “improving palliative care, supporting families, and strengthening communities so that no one feels that their life has lost its value.”
“Jesus Christ shows us how to be people who protect life, comfort the suffering, and walk alongside those who are struggling,” Macleod said. “Following his example remains our commitment as a Church.”
Dr. Stuart Weir, head of CARE for Scotland, a Christian policy group, also expressed his support for Parliament’s “positive and truly compassionate” decision.
“If you look at countries where assisted suicide is legal, the same troubling and distressing pattern emerges: numbers increase year-on-year, and categories of eligibility are widened,” Weir said.
“What Scotland needs to do is ensure proper palliative care is available for all who need it,” Weir said. “We know that when this is available, people can have a good death.”
Canada, which legalized assisted suicide in 2016, is set to grant certain individuals with mental illness the right to use the practice by March 17, 2027. A 2024 law added that mental illness is a legal condition for euthanasia, and as long as certain government-prescribed training and safety requirements are met by the 2027 date, the law is set to become effective.
One of the leading causes of death in Canada is assisted dying, according to recent statistics. Canada is nearing a record of 100,000 deaths by the practice since its legalization in 2016.
Both England and Wales are considering legalizing assisted suicide. Experts say, however, the proposed legislation is unlikely to pass before the parliamentary term’s conclusion.
Countries that have legalized assisted suicide include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and 14 U.S. states. Qualifying criteria vary throughout each nation.
