A Critical Response to the Citizens' Jury on Assisted Dying
Not Dead Yet UK is a network of disabled people in the UK who oppose the legalisation of assisted suicide; we feel compelled to respond to the recent announcement of a citizens' jury backing assisted dying for the terminally ill in England. Citizen Jury Guardian Article While we appreciate the effort to engage citizens in this complex debate, the jury's conclusions raise significant concerns that cannot be overlooked. As someone who has spent years advocating for disability rights, I believe it's crucial to highlight the potential dangers of legalising assisted dying, particularly for vulnerable populations. The Risk of Coercion and Abuse One of our primary concerns is the potential for subtle coercion of vulnerable individuals. In a society that often undervalues the lives of disabled and terminally ill people, the "right to die" can easily become an expectation to die. We've seen how societal attitudes can influence medical decisions, and the pressure – whe