Falconer Comission report on Assisted Dying ‘masquarades as independent, but is anything but’

Falconer Comission report on Assisted Dying ‘masquarades as independent, but is anything but’

13th January 2012

The BBC news reported yesterday that the British Parliament is set to debate the issue of Assisted Dying in March. This news follows on from the publication of the Falconer Commission report last week.

The report of the Commission on Assisted Dying has been roundly criticised for its lack of impartiality.  First mooted by Dignity in Dying (formerly known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society) and financed by Terry Pratchett, a well known proponent of euthanasia, the Commission was bound to be stacked in favour of a pro-euthanasia position. Lord Charlie Falconer who set up the commission is also an advocate for euthanasia and is reported to have selected the membership of the commission himself.  A majority of the 11-member group are known to be in favour of euthanasia and because of the bias inherent in the process, over 40 organisations, including the British Medical Association, refused to give evidence to the Commission.

Dr. Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing, a British organisation which campaigns against euthanasia said: “This deeply worrying and flawed report does not add a single new argument or fact to the debate on assisted suicide and euthanasia and should be seen for what it is, part of a concerted effort by those who back assisted suicide and euthanasia to change the law.”

You can read a Daily Mail article by Dr. Peter Saunders here