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Urgent Call to action We need your support now.

Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance Statement

We are opposed to legalisation of assisted suicide. It will remove equality and choice from disabled people and further contribute to our oppression. If the Assisted Dying Bill is passed, some Disabled and terminally ill people’s lives will be ended without their consent, through mistakes, subtle pressure and abuse.  No safeguards have ever been enacted or proposed that can prevent this outcome – an outcome which can never be undone.

With two Assisted Dying bills currently before parliament, it is really important that Deaf and Disabled people and our organisations speak out loudly against the legalisation of assisted suicide and raise awareness of the threat this poses to disability equality.

Our message is that we want support to live not die. At a time when essential support is being taken away from us, when the challenges we face are exponentially growing as a direct result of adverse government policy, it is more dangerous than ever to introduce legislation which encourages suicide as a solution to the barriers Disabled people face.

We say: give Disabled people a right to independent living before a right to suicide.

Below are different ways that DDPOs and Disabled campaigners can take action and get involved. We realise that not everyone has the time to do everything but anything you are able to contribute to the campaign would be valued.

DDPOs

  • Sign up to the ROFA statement (above). It is extremely important we can evidence that Disabled people and our organisations are opposed to assisted suicide to counter the arguments of those in favour of the bill who present it as progressive legislation. Email your organisation’s name to ellen.clifford@inclusionlondon.co.uk.
  • Write to or arrange to meet your local MP (even over the Summer they will be receiving and responding to mail). You can download a template letter here. Please send us copies of any responses you receive.
  • Tell your members about the campaign and how they can get involved – you could adapt this information for a newsletter article or website post or include the Assisted Dying bills on your next campaigns/speaking up meeting agenda. Support as many of your members to make contact with their MP over this issue as possible.
  • Dates for your diary – publicise the events happening below, send representatives and support your members to attend.

Individuals

  • Contact your MP – you can use our template letter here. Please send us copies of any responses you receive.We are also encouraging Disabled people to meet their MPs to put forward your views in person. Some MPs are organising public meetings to canvass the views of their constituents – check their websites to see if your MP is one of these.
  • If you have a personal story about this subject which informs your view on it and which you are willing to share please let us know. We are also looking for Disabled people who are happy to speak to the media about why we oppose legalisation of assisted suicide.

Dates for your diary

  • 13 August 2015 (1.30 – 5.00pm)
    Assisted Suicide Briefing Day for DPOs and Disabled campaigners
    organised by Inclusion London, Not Dead Yet UK and Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC).
  • 11 September
    Not Dead Yet UK/DPAC Protest.
    Gather outside Parliament to show our opposition to Marris’ bill while it is being debated inside. Meet Old Palace Yard (opposite the House of Lord’s) from 9am.

Is your MP one of the named supporters of Marris’ bill?

DPAC is encouraging campaign groups to organise protests outside the constituency offices of those MPs who have put their name to Marris’ Assisted Dying bill. If you would like support to organise a local protest or for more information contact Mail@dpac.uk.net

(See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150624/debtext/150624-0001.htm#15062462000011 to check if your MP is named.

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