Assisted dying campaigners, opponents rally at UK parliament

Supporters and opponents of Britain's assisted dying bill descended on the UK's Westminster parliament Friday as lawmakers prepared to vote on the issue.

Around 100 demonstrators wearing pink T-shirts and hats held placards reading "Give me choice over my death", "My life my death my choice" and "Dying people need choice".

People in support of assisted dying hold placards as they gather outside the Parliament as British lawmakers debate the assisted dying law, in London, Britain, November 29, 2024.Reuters

A smaller number brandished their own placards with slogans such as "Don't ask doctors to be killers", and "Sort out care first".

A protestor holds a placard as they gather outside the parliament as British lawmakers debate the assisted dying law, in London, Britain, November 29, 2024.Reuters

Voices for change

"My brother has motor neuron disease. He is going to die an awful death and he wants to have the choice to die at a time of his choosing and when it is not so distressing to all those around him," London psychiatrist Graeme Lamb, 61, told AFP.

"The alternative is people are forced to take their own lives earlier," he said.

Tighe Twomey, 62, a retired teacher from Cork city in Ireland said it was about autonomy for those faced dying in pain.

"I think people should have a choice to decide if their lives are unbearable, to end their lives with dignity on their terms," he said.

Opposition concerns

Opponents of the proposed legislation stood silently in a row near the gates to the parliament.

Jude, a 37-year-old digital marketing worker said she worried about the sick and elderly succumbing to pressure to end their lives.

"My mum is disabled and she already feels she is a burden," she said.

"I think there would be a lot of people who would feel that their family think they are a burden and that their life is in the way of other people," she added.

Another man who gave his name as James said he felt very strongly that doctors would be made into "killers" if the bill became law.

Doctors 'killing' patients

The 23-year-old from Luton, who preferred not to give his occupation, said there should be limits to what doctors are required to do when treating the terminally ill.

He said they should "provide care, do all they can but not to the point of killing patients".

Linette, 53, a local government worker from London said her opposition was underpinned by her Christian faith but that she also feared any new law would be open to misuse and could end up being applied to others, not just the terminally ill.

"I just believe that we have to treasure life in what ever form," she said.

"I also believe that if this bill goes through it will be abused in years to come and it will be more readily available for others as well," she added.

The dignity argument

But supporter Lamb, whose brother has motor neuron disease, said he would argue that other issues should not stand in the way of the bill's main objective.

"It is about dignity. My brother cannot move. He has to be hoisted in and out of bed and various commodes and there comes a time when it is too much.

He said he did not wish to prevent anyone else taking a different path at the end of their life.

"I totally support people who make a different choice. All I want is for them not to impose their choice on the rest of us," he added.