Promoting palliative care, Opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide

Care Not Killing is a UK-based alliance of individuals and organisations which brings together human rights groups, healthcare groups, palliative care groups and faith-based organisations with the aims of:

1. Promoting more and better palliative care
2. Ensuring that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed during the lifetime of the current Parliament
3. Influencing the balance of public opinion further against any weakening of the law

Care Not Killing seeks to attract the broadest support among the very many in the medical profession and allied health services and in society at large who are opposed to euthanasia. It appeals to those of all faiths and none by adducing arguments based on reason alone, by avoiding any appeals to extremism, and by drawing on and developing a well-researched evidence base.

Based on the successful coalition model adopted by the Mental Health Alliance, the Care Not Killing Alliance brings together professional bodies, charities and faith-based organisations as core members who together set and maintain the strategy of the Alliance. By joining the Alliance member organisations sign up to the above three aims and to collaboration in achieving them, but otherwise retain complete autonomy.

A small steering group of representatives from organisations already committed to joining the Alliance has developed a website and outline action plan. The aim is to establish a broadly based coalition that will:

• Produce and maintain an excellent website - www.carenotkilling.org.uk - with links to well founded research on the effects of legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide
• Provide a simple compelling and clear campaign slogan 'Care not Killing' and supporting evidence to marshal support against Bills to legalise euthanasia or assisted suicide during the lifetime of the next Parliament
• Develop a network of expert spokespeople from core group member organisations and produce powerful advocacy in the media against euthanasia
• Fund opinion polls and support research where needed to increase support
• Monitor developments in the courts
• Seek to build up and mobilise mass political support to be deployed with maximum impact on the parliamentary process as and when necessary
• Campaign positively for increased provision of better palliative care, including more funding for hospices and better residential care for the infirm elderly and for the dying, recognising that the fear of dying alone and in pain is a powerful driver of the pro-euthanasia movement