British Medical Association AGM

On Thursday 30 June, the British Medical Association passed all five parts of a motion criticising the Falconer Commission on assisted dying at its annual general meeting in Cardiff. CNK Alliance fully supports this position held by the BMA. Please write to your MP and ask them to sign Early Day Motion 2030.

Falconer Commission on Assisted Dying

The Commission on Assisted Dying which has attracted wide criticism for biashas now finished taking 'evidence' and is expected to report in the autumn. It is likely a new private member's bill will be submitted to the Westminster Parliament recommending the 'legalisation of assisted dying for terminally ill adults with strict safeguards'. DID has already circulated a briefing to all MPs on why the law should be changed. Please contact your MP with your views on assisted suicide and find out where they stand on the issue and let us know.

BBC documentary 'Choosing to Die'
Terry Pratchett's BBC documentary 'Choosing to Die', which showed the death of a British man at Dignitas, was broadcast on Monday 13 June, in spite of warnings and concerns about doing so. The BBC received over 1,000 complaints following the broadcast and CNK spokespeople did over 40 media interviews about its dangersincluding the well-recognised risk of suicide contagion. CNK has called on two Secretaries of State, to carry out an investigation into the way assisted suicide is covered by the BBC and its link to English suicide rates.

Emmerdale Assisted Suicide Plot
Emmerdalehas run a story line featuring the assisted suicide of a man with tetraplegia, which has been widely criticised. SCOPE has published a survey revealing that 70% of disabled people believe any change in the law would put pressure on disabled people to end their lives.

Withdrawal of Treatment Case
The current law is soon to be tested by a case brought by the mother of a patient – known as M – who was left in a 'minimally conscious state' following an episode of encephalitis in 2003. The case has been reported by the BBC and Daily Mail and is to be heard this July. Please read CNK's brief summary of the case and make your views know online by commenting on any News articles as they arise later this month.

Scotland
Margo MacDonald MSP has been re-elected to the Scottish Parliament and has made clear that she intends to re-submit her assisted suicide bill. Ms MacDonald appears to now have the support of Dignity in Dying. CNK will be following activities in Scotland very closely.

Care Not Killing DVDs
Request our free DVDs and pass them onto your friends, families, colleagues, schools, places of worship, or organisations. Our most recent DVD 'Disabled people speak on assisted dying' and our earlier DVD 'Doctors speak on assisted dying' are both available. Email info@carenotkilling.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunities
Care Not Killing Alliance is offering volunteers an opportunity to contribute to various areas of its work.

Speak out
Please keep writing your comments online in response to articles in the media. Engage in discussions and write letters to newspapers and politicians with your views. Medical members can write to BMA News and medical journals.

Resistance Campaign
Read about the Resistance Campaign and please signthe petition, write to your MP and make the campaign known to others, to help support the lives of people with disabilities.

Personal Stories
As the risks of any weakening in the law in relation to Assisted Suicide become increasingly highlighted, a number of you are writing to the Care Not Killing Alliance with your own experience of why you feel the law is best kept as it is. Send us your own story to info@carenotkilling.org.uk. Please include whether or not you are happy for your story to feature on our website, and visit our Personal Stories page.

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Events
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Stay informed
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Thank you for your continued support and action!
CNK Alliance