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xTogether responds to assisted suicide consultation
Date: 6th June 2014
Category:
Disability, Basic Health and Welfare
Together has responded to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee's call for views on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.
The Policy Memorandum of the Bill states that the Bill "allows people who actively wish to retain control of their lives to secure a dignified death at a time of their own choosing, instead of having to endure a poor and declining quality of life until such time as they die as a result of their illness or condition". The Bill dictates that for a person to be granted such control, they must be at least 16 years of age.
The key message from Together's response is that when important matters affecting children's health and wellbeing are being considered, the rights of children should be taken into account.
The response is based on the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and reflects on Article 5 and 12 of the UNCRC. These acknowledge children's evolving capacities and the right for children to express their views in decisions affecting them and for these views to be taken into account.