To all supporters of Care Not Killing Alliance

This brief review updates you about recent developments and encourages you to act. The links will take you to more detailed information both on the CNK website and on the internet.

Coroners' and Justice Bill
This Coroners' and Justice Bill has nothing to do with euthanasia but pro-euthanasia activists are seeking to amend it to allow assisted suicide. The bill had its second reading (debate stage) in the House of Commons on 26 January and will now be scrutinised by a Parliamentary Committee until 5 March after which it will be put to the vote. It then passes to the House of Lords. Care Not Killing is briefing MPs about the bill. CNK Chairman Brian Iddon MP has also put down an EDM on the Bill which has so far been signed by 27 MPs.

Prime Minister opposes assisted suicide
The Prime Minister Minister twice in December 2008 expressed his opposition to any change in the law to allow assisted dying. Gordon Brown said that he was 'totally against' changing laws on euthanasia and that it was not for him to create laws to 'put pressure on people to end their lives'.

Moves to legalize assisted dying in Scotland
Margo MacDonald MSP, who appeared in a controversial Panorama programme in December, has now launched a public consultation on her proposed End of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill. The consultation closes on 9 March 2009, and after that she will seek the signatures of 18 MSPs necessary to take the bill forward. Care Not Killing Scotland has written to Margo MacDonald this week with our our detailed response to her consultation.

A Short Stay in Switzerland
Dr Anne Turner, a Bath GP who committed suicide at the Dignitas facility in Switzerland in 2006, was the subject of a highly controversial drama shown on BBC on Sunday 25 January. Dr Turner suffered from a rare neurological condition called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Care Not Killing has reviewed the film which has been criticised by the PSP society which supports people with the condition.

Debbie Purdy to return to Court of Appeal
Debbie Purdy, who has multiple sclerosis, had sought a guarantee from the High Court in October that her husband would not be prosecuted should he accompany her to the Dignitas suicide 'clinic' in Zurich, Switzerland. Her application was rejected but she is soon to return to the Court of Appeal where again she is not expected to succeed. Care Not Killing welcomed the decision not to require the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide information about how decisions to prosecute for assisted suicide are made.

Faith is not the argument against assisted dying
In a robust letter to the Times, Lord Carlile QC has taken issue with Lord Joffe's recent accusations that religious leaders are largely responsible for the opposition to assisted suicide. Carlile asserted, This is not about religion or autonomy or medicine: it is about public safety, legal certainty and the protection by the law of the vulnerable.' Lord Joffe has meanwhile threatened to bring his assisted dying bill back in to the House of Lords.

Assisted dying 'glorified' by TV show
A television programme which showed a man ending his life in an assisted suicide has been accused of being the latest 'reality TV' stunt. Craig Ewert, 59, suffered from motor neurone disease (MND) and chose to die rather than endure the 'torture' he feared his degenerative condition meant. Footage of his death was broadcast during the programme Right To Die? on Sky Real Lives on 10 December. Care Not Killing spokespeople took part in over 40 radio and television interviews about the case.

Physician Assisted Suicide and Society
There is a tendency to see the legalisation of physician assisted suicide (PAS) solely in terms of individual rights and to ignore the impact of such a radical change in the law on society, including both the health care system and the community as a whole. Care Not Killing has recent published an extensive review on this controversial issue. The CNK website is kept regularly updated with reviews, articles and news stories on the theme of promoting palliative care and opposing assisted suicide.

Many thanks for your ongoing support


Peter Saunders
Director
Care Not Killing Alliance