As the end of 2017 approaches, we can look back on a peculiar year for the debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide. It may at times have seemed quieter than in, for example, 2015, when the defeat of the Marris and Harvie bills may have seemed like the great victories to tide us over for years to come.
This is not the case. You will have seen the attempt to challenge the Suicide Act, by means of the European Convention on Human Rights, in the High Court - where Care Not Killing was as before an intervener. Noel Conway's application was rejected, but his legal team immediately pledged to appeal the judgment, and we are also readying ourselves to intervene in a similar case expected in 2018.
You can read some of our media contributions surrounding Conway here. You can also read some of our comments and statements regarding new polling pushed by euthanasia advocates; cases before the Court of Protection; and prosecutions under the Suicide Act. This debate, if possible, only becomes more complex and multi-faceted, with new fronts opening, as the years pass.
Our colleagues abroad have seen still more difficulty:
Quebec is considered by some observers to have caught up with Belgium in just two years of its law's operation
In the Netherlands, prosecutors have been considering the first - first - prosecution concerning a breach of euthanasia laws and guidelines
In New Zealand, MPs voted to allow David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill to go to committee by 76-44, despite a Health Select Committee consultation and report declining to support such a move
And in the Australian state of Victoria, Government legislation to allow for euthanasia and assisted suicide received Royal Assent on 5 December. Voices raised in opposition included those of family members and doctors speaking from personal experience, and those tired of opposition being painted as religious in character.
In order to continue intervening in the courts;
In order to continue contributing to media reporting on this crucial subject;
In order to continue responding to requests for information from the general public, including students and academics, and to calls for evidence from legislators;
In order to continue more than a decade of fruitful work to oppose uncontrollable, unethical and unnecessary legal change;
We continue to need your help.
Please consider donating to our work, and commending our cause to others: our means are more limited than ever, and while we have always punched above our weight, we need donations to fight on. We're enormously grateful to those who have given in 2017, especially to those who give on a regular basis. The support we receive takes so many forms, all of which make a real difference, so again: we thank you.
We wish you and your families and happy and peaceful Christmas.
