Latest news with #Scotland)Bill
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Scottish parliament approves assisted dying bill in key vote
London: The Scottish parliament voted on Tuesday in favour of a bill that would allow people living in Scotland with a terminal illness to take their own lives, bringing the proposal a step closer to becoming a reality in the country. Ahead of a final vote, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill will move to a committee stage where it will be scrutinised and amended by members of the Scottish parliament. If the legislation is passed, Scotland would join countries such as Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Austria and Ecuador in allowing assisted dying in certain circumstances. It comes after a historic vote last year in the British parliament in which lawmakers backed a bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales. The Scottish bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life, assisted by health professionals. The legislation would include safeguards such as independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. There would be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year. Individuals would need to self-administer the substance that would end their life. The bill was proposed by Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish parliament Liam McArthur in 2021, and it is the third time that lawmakers in Scotland have voted on such legislation. The last vote was in 2015. Ahead of the vote, McArthur joined supporters outside the Scottish parliament and said he believed the "political mood has shifted dramatically over the last 10 years". Polls show a majority of Britons back assisted dying and supporters say the law needs to catch up with public opinion. Opponents say the bill would fail to safeguard those most vulnerable. Campaign group Better Way said on its website it was concerned the bill, as drafted, could lead to injustices against people with disabilities, those living with dementia and others. "People would feel pressure to die due to inequality; coercion of vulnerable people could not be ruled out; and eligibility criteria would be challenged in the courts," said Better Way spokesman Miro Griffiths.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon refuses to apologise for self-ID despite demand from Isla Bryson's mum
Speaking after the Supreme Court ruling in April, Bryson's mum Janet had told the Sunday Mail: "I think it is now time Ms Sturgeon apologised." Nicola Sturgeon has refused to apologise for self-ID despite demand from Isla Bryson 's mum. The former First Minister, who was instrumental in forcing controversial gender self-ID laws through Holyrood, finally broke her silence to say she did not need to say sorry following the Supreme Court judgement which ruled that only biology confirms a person's sex. Sturgeon had faced calls to apologise, which were backed by Janet Bryson, who son was born Adam Graham but began to identify as a woman called Isla while awaiting trial for rape. Bryson's case caused outrage after being sent to female jail Cornton Vale before Sturgeon, then first minister, announced a switch to all-male HMP Edinburgh. The case fuelled outrage over the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and also contributed to the resignation of Sturgeon as FM. However this week the former SNP leader said that while she accepted the Supreme Court 's ruling, she also warned that the manner in which it will be "translated into practice" could make "the lives of trans people almost unlivable". She said she would be "very concerned" if interim advice issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that only biological women can use female-only safe spaces "became the final guidance". In April, speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, Janet, 65, said: "I'm pleased with the ruling which ends years of confusion over these new gender laws and now the rights of biological women are clear and protected. "That has now been made clear but it should never have been questioned in the first place. But I think it is now time Ms Sturgeon apologised. "So much time, money and energy has been spent trying to protect the rights of some but at the expense of biological women. "You can say you are a woman all you want but I believe that is different to being biologically born a woman. With the case of my son, he was born a man. A piece of paper does not change that." In April Britain's highest court ruled only two biological sexes - male and female, assigned at birth - can be recognised under the 2010 Equality Act. But they said trans people were still protected from discrimination by the act. Lord Hodge, who read out the historic ruling, said: 'We counsel against reading this judgment. as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another it is not.' After the ruling, author JK Rowling, who has been outspoken on gender issues, said: "In winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK." Mum-of-three Janet has always refuted Bryson's claims he had wanted to be a girl from age four. She said: "My son never expressed any wish that he wanted to be a girl, dressed in any other way or ever asked to be called by any other name than Adam growing up. Never once, at the age of four or at any other age." Janet previously told the Sunday Mail: "I believe you have to be born female to be female. No wigs, dresses or amount of make-up makes you female." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The landmark decision came after feminist group For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the Scottish Government's 2018 ruling that transgender women could be included as female in laws requiring 50/50 representation on public boards. Five justices unanimously ruled that having a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) does not change a person's sex in law. FWS's legal challenge was put forward in 2022 over Scottish laws which said men who identify as women could take women-only roles on public company boards. The Scottish Government introduced laws in 2018 to include people given the legal GRC document, which would allow them to use single-sex areas, including women's loos and changing rooms. During the case, the Scottish Government argued in court that transgender people with a GRC are entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women. The interim EHRC advice states that "trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities" and vice versa, "as this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities." The watchdog's final guidance is due to be published in the coming months. Bryson, 33, was convicted of raping women while known as Graham in 2023 and jailed for eight years, with a further three on licence.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sturgeon warns trans lives could become ‘unliveable' after Supreme Court ruling
Nicola Sturgeon has warned that trans lives could become 'unliveable' following the Supreme Court judgment on the definition of a woman. The former Scottish first minister said she was concerned about how the landmark ruling has been interpreted. But she added that it was not 'inevitable' that the court ruling would make trans lives 'impossibly difficult'. Last month, the UK's highest court ruled the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. The Scottish Government lost a court case against For Women Scotland at the Supreme Court last month (Aaron Chown/PA) The case was brought against the Scottish Government by the campaign group For Women Scotland. Speaking to reporters at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon said she would back a further change in the law to improve trans rights, if new guidance put trans people at risk. ADVERTISEMENT The former SNP leader's government had previously attempted to push through the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in 2023, which was voted through by MSPs. But the legislation was revoked by the then Conservative government, which said it violated the 2010 Equality Act – the law the Supreme Court ruled on in April. Ms Sturgeon also rejected calls for her to apologise to critics of gender self-ID, saying she 'fundamentally and respectfully disagreed' with such calls. She said: 'The Supreme Court judgment, by definition, is the law of the land. 'The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the country, so there is no gainsaying that. 'The question for me, and I think for a lot of people, is how that is now translated into practice, can that be done in a way that, of course, protects women, but also allows trans people to live their lives with dignity and in a safe and accepted way. ADVERTISEMENT 'I think that remains to be seen.' Ms Sturgeon said it was new guidance by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that could put trans people at risk. Following the court ruling, the EHRC published interim guidance that said 'trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities' in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants. Ms Sturgeon said: 'I would be very concerned if that interim guidance became the final guidance and I hope that is not the case because I think that potentially makes the lives of trans people almost unliveable. 'The EHRC is a statutory body and I respect the role they've got. I'm not going to comment at this stage on where they might go. 'I'm making a general comment that I don't think it's inevitable that we go from the Supreme Court judgment to a situation where trans lives become impossibly difficult – nor do I believe that's what a majority of people want the situation to be.' Nicola Sturgeon expressed concerns about trans rights following interim guidance by the UK's equalities watchdog (Lesley Martin/PA) Asked by reporters if she would support a further change to the law to improve trans rights, Ms Sturgeon said she would. ADVERTISEMENT She warned that the court ruling was not a 'moral judgment' and said it was not up to courts to make a statement on what the law could be. 'That's not the role of any court,' she said. 'That's the role of politicians and governments. 'I've spent my life campaigning for the protection and the enhancement of women's rights, and I bow to nobody on that, but I also think it's really important that the tiny, tiny number of people who are trans in this country get to live with dignity and in a way, that they feel safe and accepted in society for who they are. 'I don't believe. I've never believed, and I never will believe, that those two things are inevitably in tension.' The Glasgow Southside MSP said it appeared to her that 'a lot of the most vocal commentators on this haven't read the judgment, having read it', before adding that there was a 'danger' that certain interpretations could put trans people at risk. ADVERTISEMENT 'If that is the case, then yes, it would be, my view that the law as it stands, needs to be looked at,' she said. Joanna Cherry criticised Nicola Sturgeon for her remarks in Holyrood (Jane Barlow/PA) Former SNP MSP Joanna Cherry, a critic of gender self-ID, said Ms Sturgeon's claims that trans lives could be 'unliveable' were 'the sort of fatuous hyperbole that she has indulged in in relation to these issues from the outset and it is deeply irresponsible for any politician to so misrepresent the judgment'. Scottish Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton added: 'Nicola Sturgeon betrayed women and divided Scotland with her reckless gender self-ID policy, yet she still can't bring herself to apologise. 'For years she arrogantly dismissed the concerns of women and girls that their rights and safety were being sacrificed, as she parroted the views of extremist gender activists and ensured they were adopted across Scotland's public sector. 'Gender self-ID was always nonsense – and now the Supreme Court has declared it unlawful too. 'Nicola Sturgeon needs to hold her hands up and say sorry to the women of Scotland. But she and the SNP never admit to their mistakes or accept accountability when they get things badly wrong.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Health
- The National
Assisted dying bill needs ‘further consideration' before becoming law
PARTS of a bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland would need 'further consideration' if the proposals pass a key vote at Holyrood, MSPs on the Health Committee have said. The committee has been scrutinising proposals put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur which, if passed, would allow those suffering from a terminal illness to seek help to end their lives. Noting the 'strength of feeling' there is on both sides of the debate, Holyrood's Health Committee made clear it would not make any recommendation on whether or not the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill should be approved. Convener Clare Haughey said that after having considered the proposals in 'great detail', members of the committee believe the vote at Holyrood – which will determine the legislation can continue to the next stage – was a 'matter of conscience for each individual MSP'. READ MORE: Calls to reject mega offshore wind farm as thousands of seabirds forecast to die She added that as a result it has made 'no overall recommendation as to how they should vote on the general principles of the bill'. However, she added that should the bill proceed to the second stage, the committee had 'highlighted a number of areas which we feel will require further consideration before the bill can become law'. Haughey said: 'These include issues around human rights, coercion, eligibility criteria, provision of assistance, self-administration and conscientious objection for healthcare workers.' In its report the committee said that 'safeguards' in the bill could be 'strengthened' with independent oversight, such as by an independent review panel or by giving the Chief Medical Officer a monitoring role. On the issue of capacity, the committee said this would need to be assessed in a 'fair and non-discriminatory way' for those with a mental disorder, while also seeking to give 'suitable protection for vulnerable individuals'. READ MORE: Heartfelt thanks as the world-class Good Morning Service turns 25 Additional safeguards could also be considered against 'so-called 'doctor shopping' – where people try to find a doctor who will support them to end their life. With Health Secretary Neil Gray having already made clear the Scottish Government believes the bill 'in its current form' to be outside of Holyrood's legislative competence, Haughey said there are 'particular complexities associated with those aspects of the bill which extend beyond the limits of the powers currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament'. She said that if MSPs approve the general principles of the bill in the stage one vote there would need to be 'an open and constructive dialogue between the Scottish and UK Governments to resolve these issues and to allow the Bill to take full legal effect'. But Mr McArthur said that 'fundamentally this bill is about striking the balance between providing a right for terminally ill adults to access assisted dying and the requirement to protect vulnerable groups'. He stated: 'In my view compassion and safety are the cornerstones of my proposals. 'In changing the law to allow dying people more choice, while putting in place vital safety measures where none currently exist, we will get that balance right.' The Liberal Democrat recognised the committee's view 'that this is an issue for every MSP to consider as a matter of personal conscience ahead of a free vote in the coming weeks'. And he urged MSPs from all parties to 'listen to the voices of terminally ill Scots desperate for more choice, control and dignity' as well as to the 'many people across Scotland who have witnessed the harrowing deaths of friends and loved ones'. McArthur (above) added: 'The public polling is consistent across age range, disability status, geographic area and religious belief – Scots want a change in the law to allow terminally ill people the choice of an assisted death. 'This bill has been a long time coming but, at long last, it can offer that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.' However, opponents of the change at Care Not Killing insisted that the 'scrutiny process of the bill has been wholly inadequate'. Campaign group chief executive Gordon Macdonald said: 'With seven of the 10 members of the Health Committee having signed up to support the bill when it was first proposed, it raises significant questions about the rigour of the scrutiny process'. Meanwhile, Dr Miro Griffiths, spokesman for the Better Way campaign, stated: 'Palliative care doctors, psychiatrists, disabled people's organisations, experts in the care of older people and others have cautioned that a change in the law would inevitably lead to abuses against the most vulnerable. 'No number of safeguards could rule out coercion of patients through subtle pressure applied behind closed doors.' He added: 'When politicians have debated this issue in the past, they have always concluded that the risks of changing the law make it too dangerous to pursue. 'We'd urge MSPs to heed experts' concerns and vote against Liam McArthur's bill at stage one.'
Glasgow Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Assisted dying Bill needs ‘further consideration', MSPs told
The committee has been scrutinising proposals put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur which, if passed, would allow those suffering from a terminal illness to seek help to end their lives. Noting the 'strength of feeling' there is on both sides of the debate, Holyrood's Health Committee made clear it would not make any recommendation on whether or not the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill should be approved. Convener Clare Haughey said that after having considered the proposals in 'great detail', members of the committee believe the vote at Holyrood – which will determine the legislation can continue to the next stage – was a 'matter of conscience for each individual MSP'. She added that as a result it has made 'no overall recommendation as to how they should vote on the general principles of the Bill'. However, she added that should the Bill proceed to the second stage, the committee had 'highlighted a number of areas which we feel will require further consideration before the Bill can become law'. Ms Haughey said: 'These include issues around human rights, coercion, eligibility criteria, provision of assistance, self-administration and conscientious objection for healthcare workers.' In its report the committee said that 'safeguards' in the Bill could be 'strengthened' with independent oversight, such as by an independent review panel or by giving the Chief Medical Officer a monitoring role. On the issue of capacity, the committee said this would need to be assessed in a 'fair and non-discriminatory way' for those with a mental disorder, while also seeking to give 'suitable protection for vulnerable individuals'. Additional safeguards could also be considered against 'so-called 'doctor shopping' – where people try to find a doctor who will support them to end their life. With Health Secretary Neil Gray having already made clear the Scottish Government believes the Bill 'in its current form' to be outside of Holyrood's legislative competence, Ms Haughey said there are 'particular complexities associated with those aspects of the Bill which extend beyond the limits of the powers currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament'. She said that if MSPs approve the general principles of the Bill in the stage one vote there would need to be 'an open and constructive dialogue between the Scottish and UK Governments to resolve these issues and to allow the Bill to take full legal effect'. But Mr McArthur said that 'fundamentally this Bill is about striking the balance between providing a right for terminally ill adults to access assisted dying and the requirement to protect vulnerable groups'. He stated: 'In my view compassion and safety are the cornerstones of my proposals. 'In changing the law to allow dying people more choice, while putting in place vital safety measures where none currently exist, we will get that balance right.' The Liberal Democrat recognised the committee's view 'that this is an issue for every MSP to consider as a matter of personal conscience ahead of a free vote in the coming weeks'. And he urged MSPs from all parties to 'listen to the voices of terminally ill Scots desperate for more choice, control and dignity' as well as to the 'many people across Scotland who have witnessed the harrowing deaths of friends and loved ones'. Mr McArthur added: 'The public polling is consistent across age range, disability status, geographic area and religious belief – Scots want a change in the law to allow terminally ill people the choice of an assisted death. 'This Bill has been a long time coming but, at long last, it can offer that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.' However, opponents of the change at Care Not Killing insisted that the 'scrutiny process of the Bill has been wholly inadequate'. Campaign group chief executive Gordon Macdonald said: 'With seven of the 10 members of the Health Committee having signed up to support the Bill when it was first proposed, it raises significant questions about the rigour of the scrutiny process'. Meanwhile, Dr Miro Griffiths, spokesman for the Better Way campaign, stated: 'Palliative care doctors, psychiatrists, disabled people's organisations, experts in the care of older people and others have cautioned that a change in the law would inevitably lead to abuses against the most vulnerable. 'No number of safeguards could rule out coercion of patients through subtle pressure applied behind closed doors.' He added: 'When politicians have debated this issue in the past, they have always concluded that the risks of changing the law make it too dangerous to pursue. 'We'd urge MSPs to heed experts' concerns and vote against Liam McArthur's Bill at stage one.'
