Assisted suicide advocates ‘drag us all in the direction of death’

The campaign to legalise assisted suicide devalues the lives of us all, an author and columnist has warned.

Writing in The Jewish Chronicle, Angela Kiverstein countered a recent claim in the same publication by Rabbi Romain – the new chair of pro-assisted suicide group Dignity in Dying – that assisted suicide is ‘compassionate’.

Dignity in Dying, formerly known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, is spearheading attempts across the British Isles to remove end-of-life protections.

‘Consequences’

Kiverstein – who lives with an incurable illness – confessed to being moved by Rabbi Romain’s “eloquent words” in favour of legalising assisted suicide.

“If campaigners pull the tug-of-war rope towards dying, it drags everyone else who is holding the rope in the direction of death.”

But, she countered, “I cannot help feeling that they detract from the value of my life and that of others like me. They have consequences for all of us.

“If campaigners pull the tug-of-war rope towards dying, it drags everyone else who is holding the rope in the direction of death.”

Life-affirming

The writer expressed concern that “‘if being seriously ill’ is equated with ‘might as well be dead’” people will see her differently.

But, she continued, “more importantly, I wouldn’t want anyone who is diagnosed with an incurable illness to instantly feel they are dying”.

Referring to her own diagnosis with cancer, she confessed: “yes, I did initially hear this as ‘you are dying’”.

But, she added, “I have since discovered that incurable illness doesn’t stop me working, parenting, grandparenting, writing, dancing – emphatically living”.

Team Living

Kiverstein explained that her “biggest concern” is the effect of assisted-suicide legislation in a hospital setting, “where it poses a threat to human rights”.

She argued that if so-called legal safeguards were applied in a similar way to ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ orders, then patients were at risk of being persuaded by medics to opt for assisted suicide.

Come round to Team Living. And assist us with all your strength.

Kiverstein concluded: “Many people living with incurable illness do need assistance. Financial support if it’s harder to work. Social care. Childcare. Help with mental wellbeing. Research funding and access to life-prolonging drugs.

“So I would say to all compassionate campaigners, pull hard on that rope – but first, choose your side carefully. This is a debate that we cannot afford to go wrong. Come round to Team Living. And assist us with all your strength”.