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DPOs Challenge MPs to Protect Disabled People from Harm of Assisted Suicide Bill

For many Disabled people and their representative organisations, the introduction of assisted suicide laws in a society already rife with ableism and deep-seated health inequalities is a disaster waiting to happen. The UK is far from being an equitable society where Disabled people’s rights and dignity are fully upheld. As Disability Rights UK and other DPOs have pointed out, the bill risks reinforcing negative perceptions about Disabled people’s quality of life and making them more vulnerable to pressure, both direct and indirect, to end their lives.

Fazilet Hadi, Head of Policy at Disability Rights UK, highlighted the severity of the threat during her testimony to the Public Bill Committee on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill—a cross-party group of MPs responsible for examining the proposed legislation in detail. The committee, chaired by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, comprises members from various political parties and is tasked with scrutinising the bill, gathering evidence from experts, and considering potential amendments before it proceeds to further stages in Parliament.

“We are a country that is unequal, that has internalised ableism against Disabled people, so I do think the bill will have a serious and profound negative impact against the valuing of Disabled people’s lives.”

Moreover, the bill is being introduced into a society where Disabled people experience disproportionate poverty, exclusion from healthcare, and structural discrimination. Hadi continued:

“This bill is going to be plunged into a society that has deep, entrenched health inequalities that don’t play out well for people that are poorer.”

DPOs have consistently pointed out that many Disabled people already face discrimination in medical settings, with assumptions being made about their quality of life. These biases can result in poorer healthcare outcomes, including situations where Disabled people are denied life-saving treatment or pressured into “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders without proper consultation. Responding to a question from Labour MP Naz Shah about coercion of Disabled people in health and care settings, Hadi stated:

“Our experience of the NHS and of the medical profession isn’t wholly positive and we often find that doctors, because they can’t treat or cure us, do devalue our lives.”

With this context in mind, legalising assisted suicide without first addressing the broader inequalities Disabled people face in healthcare and society could lead to devastating consequences.

The Role of DPOs in the Debate

The original decision to exclude DPOs from providing oral evidence to the parliamentary committee reviewing the bill was met with outrage. This decision would have meant that those with the most at stake—the people whose lives would be directly affected by this legislation—were not given a voice.

Following sustained pressure from DPOs and campaigners, the committee reversed its decision. Disability Rights campaigner Ellen Clifford stated:

“It’s good news that the Committee will be able to hear the perspective from organisations run and controlled by Deaf and Disabled people. Our organisations have expertise in a number of the very complex and difficult issues at the heart of this bill.”

However, while the decision to include at least one DPO in oral evidence sessions is a step forward, campaigners warn that the overall scrutiny process remains inadequate. The speed at which the bill is progressing has made it difficult for many Disabled people to engage with the process meaningfully. Kamran Mallick, Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK commented:

“It’s welcome that the Committee has revised its decision and now included Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations within the list of witnesses giving oral evidence over the next few days. Disability Rights UK advocates for 350 organisations and are also part of a wider collaborative network of organisations that includes grassroots Disabled people-led campaign groups and trade union disability committees.”

But the lack of accessible engagement mechanisms in the wider debate remains a serious concern. Tracey Lazard, CEO of Inclusion London said:

“We are relieved that a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation will now be heard from by MPs on the Committee. However, our concerns about lack of engagement are much wider than just oral evidence. The bill is travelling through Parliament at a speed that is completely inaccessible to Deaf and Disabled people. Private Member’s Bills are not subject to the same Equality Act requirements that apply to government bills, such as a duty to make reasonable adjustments to allow Deaf and Disabled people the same chance to engage as other groups.”

The fight against assisted suicide legislation is not about denying people autonomy; rather, it is about ensuring that Disabled people are not placed at further risk in a society that already fails to support and value them.

To date, no DPO has come out in support of the Assisted Dying Bill in its current form. Whilst many openly oppose the purpose of the bill in its entirety, others recognise that for some terminally ill people, the right to end their life with dignity is a deeply personal issue. However, there is a shared concern across the Disabled People Movement that the current bill lacks adequate safeguards to protect Disabled people from harm.

The experiences of other countries that have introduced assisted dying legislation serve as a warning. In Canada, eligibility criteria were initially restricted to terminally ill individuals but later expanded to include Disabled people who were not terminally ill, leading to growing concerns that a lack of proper safeguards can result in unintended and harmful consequences. In a society where Disabled people already face entrenched discrimination, inadequate social care, and assumptions that our lives are of lesser value, many fear that legalising assisted dying could reinforce negative societal attitudes and expose Disabled people to coercion, whether direct or indirect.

Even those who believe that assisted dying should be available for terminally ill people argue that the UK must first address the structural inequalities that put Disabled people at risk. Without a fully funded social care system, comprehensive palliative care, and robust legal protections, there is a significant danger that some Disabled people may feel they have no choice but to end their lives due to poverty, isolation, or inadequate support.

As the debate continues, it is imperative that policymakers listen to Disabled people and ensure that any changes to the law do not leave us further marginalised. Dominic Ellison, CEO of WECIL said:

‘Regardless of whether an Assisted Dying Bill is passed, it is clear that in its current form, there are not adequate safeguards for Disabled people. Any future legislation must not only respect personal autonomy but also ensure that Disabled people’s right to live with dignity, choice, and proper support is fully protected—and to achieve this, the Government must continue to listen to and meaningfully work with DPOs through its development, ensuring that the voices of those most affected are at the heart of decision-making.’

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