- Conference
- 2024 National Disabled Members' Conference
- Date
- 4 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Conference, assisted dying is an emotive and complex issue which people hold differing and strong views about. The issue can be polarising.
But what is meant by assisted dying is often unclear. Is it do not resuscitate (DNR)? Withdrawal of treatment? Assisted suicide? Or, voluntary euthanasia?
Common arguments against assisted dying are based on appealing to the rights of disabled people, and are based on religious, moral, and political arguments.
In 2009, UNISON’s retired members discussed the issue at its conference seeking to campaign for ‘physician assisted suicide’ based on an individual’s right to dignity and choice to end life, and this motion was carried (as amended). However, UNISON has no policy position.
A poll in 2021 by YouGov, noted that 73% of those polled supported a form of doctor assisted death for those terminally ill; 50% supported similar for people who experienced unbearable suffering but were not terminally ill.
A survey in 2022 by Public Medical Central, of disabled rights organisations in the UK noted that organisations took different stances: 84% remaining silent on the issue, 4% remaining neutral, and 4% opposed. This reflects the sensitivities around the issue, and possibly not wanting to be on the wrong ‘side’ of the discussion rather than reflect strong opposition per se.
In 2021, the British Medical Association changed its policy position from opposition to neutrality.
In a poll by the disability charity Scope, two-thirds (64%) of disabled people noted they would be concerned by a change in the law as it stands. In 2018, Scope voiced concerns regarding ‘relaxed’ guidance by the Director of Public Prosecutions on assisted suicide, which it felt blurred the clarity of the present legal position.
Assisted dying can result in criminal charges in all parts of the UK. The issue has previously been debated, and defeated, in the Scottish and UK parliaments.
In May this year, Jersey’s States Assembly debated this issue and approved assisted dying for those with a terminal illness ‘causing unbearable suffering’. Legislation will progress and is anticipated to come into force in 2027. Scotland is progressing down a similar route with an Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill recently being introduced.
Conference re-affirms its commitment to the Social Model of Disability. This itself raises questions as to whether support for the Social Model of Disability and support for assisted dying are mutually exclusive.
However, the debate on assisted dying is happening, whether we’re part of that, or not. Given disabled people are among those people most vulnerable to abuse of legalised assisted dying, then isn’t it important that as disabled members we have a clear policy position, and that our voice shapes a future wider debate?
Conference calls on the National Disabled Members Committee:
1) To work with the National Executive Council to compile and conduct a study of disabled member views as a starting point to an informed discussion within the union.
2) To consider submitting this motion to the 2025 National Delegate Conference, using the study’s findings as the basis for a thoughtful, respectful and considered debate within our union with a view to achieving a national policy position.