Sir, I’m deeply disappointed that the ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’, also known as the ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill, has won the first vote in Parliament today. The bill would make it legal for over-18s, residents of England and Wales, who are terminally ill to receive assistance to end their own life, subject to a set of eligibility requirements.
This decision raises significant concerns for many, and I believe it warrants careful consideration and reflection on what it means for us as a society. I have heard extremely sad stories of those suffering at the end of life, and my heart goes out to them. I can understand the complexity of this subject and can only imagine the immense pain these individuals are in. I am not convinced that a law allowing people to end their lives is the right solution.
I am genuinely concerned about the implications of this decision. The potential consequences of legalising assisted dying are profound and wide-ranging. We have no idea where this will lead us as a society. It could fundamentally alter our approach to life and death and the values we hold dear.
There are practical dimensions to this issue that we may not fully understand. The decision to allow assisted dying could have unintended consequences, affecting vulnerable populations and potentially leading to abuses or pressures on individuals who may feel they have no other option.
As a society, we must be careful and consider the long-term impact of this decision. In summary, while the vote has been cast, the conversation must continue. We need to remain vigilant and thoughtful about the direction we are heading and the kind of society we want to build.
Yours,
Suleman Nagdi
Federation of Muslim Organisations Leicester
