Statements & Comments

3 July 2012 / 20 November 2012

In England, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Choice at the End of Life, in partnership with Dignity in Dying, launched a draft Assisted Dying Bill for consultation. The draft Bill builds on the recommendations of the Commission on Assisted Dying, which published its findings in January 2012.

Based on its considerations for a proposal for an Assited Sucide (Scotland) Bill and the submission to the Commission on Assited Dying, DIGNITAS handed in a response to the APPG.

Website of the APPG (Link)

Response/submission of DIGNITAS to the consultation (PDF)

23 January 2012 / 1 May 2012

In Scotland, parliament member Margo MacDonald lodged a proposal for a Bill, the „Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bil", to enable a competent adult with a terminal illness or condition to request assistance to end their own life, and to decriminalise certain actions taken by others to provide such assistance.

A consultation was held until 30 April 2012.

The proposed Bill includes elements of the practice of accompanied suicides in Switzerland as well as of the „Death with Dignity Act” of the US-State of Oregon.

Website of the Scottish Parliament with consultation document (Link)

Response/submission of DIGNITAS to the consultation (PDF)

5 May 2011 / 3 October 2011 / 5 January 2012

In England, Lord Falconer launched The Commission on Assisted Dying which - amongst other aims -  shall investigate the circumstances under which it should be possible for people to be assisted to die. See their website www.commissiononassisteddying.co.uk. In answer to the Commission's Call for evidence, DIGNITAS handed in a submission:

Submission of DIGNITAS to the Commission on Assisted Dying (PDF)

The submission by DIGNITAS is now online, on the website of the Commission, (No. 1012, Evidence from Dignitas), amongst many other submissions.

Upon the visit of two delegates of the Commission on Assisted Dying, DIGNITAS provided additional notes to answer specific questions of the Commissioneers. Available here (PDF) 

Final Report of the Commission on Assisted Dying (Link)

28 August 2004

DIGNITAS-Memorandum to the Select-Comitee of Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, of the House of Lords (PDF)