Disability is not a reason to legalise assisted suicide
Disability is not a reason to legalise assisted suicide, human rights experts have stressed in a powerful statement issued by the United Nations (UN). The experts have condemned the growing trend to legalise assisted suicide based on individuals “having a disability or disabling conditions, including in old age”. “We all accept that disability should never be a ground or justification to end someone’s life directly or indirectly. The experts of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council , warn that assisted suicide laws that cite disability as grounds for assisted suicide would institutionalise and legally authorise ‘ableism’ , a form of discrimination against those with disabilities. They point out that this would directly violate Article 10 of the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. This requires states to ensure that people with disabilities can effectively enjoy their inherent right to life equally with others. (universe)





