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UK faith leaders unite to oppose assisted dying bill ahead of key vote
Their joint letter highlights concerns about the bill’s potential impact on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled, who might feel pressured to end their lives prematurely.
File photo. / British roadcasting Corporation
Leaders from the Hindu and Sikh communities in the UK have joined forces with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders to oppose a controversial assisted dying bill set to be debated and voted on by MPs on Nov.29.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, proposed by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, aims to allow adults in the final six months of their lives to seek medical assistance to end their suffering. Under the proposed law, two doctors would assess the patient’s voluntary request, which would then require approval from a high court judge. The patient would self-administer an “approved substance” prescribed to end their life.
However, the bill has drawn strong criticism from faith leaders across the UK. Cardinal Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have voiced their opposition, with Welby previously describing the bill as “dangerous.” The Muslim Council of Britain has also expressed its disapproval.
This week, prominent Hindu and Sikh leaders, including Anil Bhanot, managing trustee of the Hindu Council UK; Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, chair of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha; Trupti Patel, president of the Hindu Forum of Britain; Mehool Sanghrajka, chair of the Institute of Jainology; and Lord Singh of Wimbledon, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations UK, co-signed a letter condemning the legislation.
The joint letter highlights concerns about the bill’s potential impact on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled, who might feel pressured to end their lives prematurely. “It is easy to see how a ‘right to die’ could all too easily end in feeling you have a ‘duty to die,’” the letter states. The leaders cited examples from Canada and Oregon, arguing that safeguards in similar laws have failed to protect marginalised individuals. Instead, they called for increased investment in palliative care to support terminally ill patients.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood have also spoken out against the bill. Mahmood, in a letter to her constituents, wrote, “The state should never offer death as a service.”
Despite the opposition, Leadbeater insists that the proposed legislation is necessary to give terminally ill patients “choice and autonomy” at the end of their lives. MPs will be allowed a free vote on the private member’s bill, enabling them to cast their votes based on personal conscience.
The outcome of the vote is expected to be closely watched, as it could signal a significant shift in the UK’s approach to end-of-life care and patients’ rights.
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