Proposals to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland contain significant flaws.
A Scottish Parliament committee report did not make a recommendation, instead MSPs will be allowed to vote freely on it.
The group's members say if voted through, the bill would need changed to get through scrutiny.
Overall conclusions:
- Patrick Harvie MSP had "good intentions" introducing the bill, and recognises the complexity of the various moral and ethical issues raised.
- There's a "strength of feeling" from those who have given evidence on both sides
- The Parliament should approach the Stage 1 decision with due respect for this diversity of views.
- The Committee believes the Bill contains significant flaws, which present major challenges about if it can be progressed.
- The majority of the Committee does not support the general principles, but the issue is a matter of conscience, so there is no formal recommendation made.
Deputy Convener of the Committee, Bob Doris MSP said despite the moral and legal issues, it was important that they "listened, debated and heard the many passionate voices on both sides of the debate.
He said: “The Committee has recognised throughout its work that the proposed legislation touches lives in a deeply personal way and we thank those individuals for sharing their personal experience.
“The Committee’s intention was to inform the debate and not influence the outcome as that is a matter of conscience for the Parliament when they vote later this month.
“However, the Committee agreed that the Bill will need significant amendment should it progress through the parliamentary scrutiny process.”
The Scottish Parliament is expected to vote on the issue by the end of the month.
The Humanist Society Scotland is a partner in the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign and gave evidence to the Health and Sport Committee during its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill.
Responding to the report Gordon MacRae, HSS Chief Executive, said: "We welcome the neutrality of the Health and Sport Committee report. The report raises some important questions about the detail of the Bill, and we will be urging Parliamentarians not to shut-down the debate at this important point.
"The public support for these proposals is clear; almost four-in-five people in Scotland want to see a compassionate choice for people with life-shortening conditions. We are a proud partner in the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign and our members have joined demonstrations and written hundreds of emails to MSPs. We will continue to work with The Scottish Parliament to strengthen this Bill, and eventually, see it pass into legislation.
"The only fair and democratic way forward is for a free and open debate, this will be a major step forward and a recognition that the status-quo is no longer an option. We will be urging MSPs to vote to pass the Bill onto Stage 2 where we can begin the detailed scrutiny of the Bill."
'Not up to scratch'
Christian charity CARE for Scotland has campaigned against assisted suicide and previously called for the bill to be withdrawn because of its "obvious shortcomings."
National Director Stuart Weir said the legislation is "simply not up to scratch."
“We therefore welcome this very clear report from the health and sport committee which raises concerns about significant flaws within the legislation.
“This is a real blow to those advocating for assisted suicide and MSPs will undoubtedly be paying close attention to the points made in the report.
“Scotland has a proud heritage of caring for life and it would be tragic if that heritage were eroded by introducing such damaging and unnecessary legislation.”
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