Disability campaigners challenge California assisted suicide law

Disability campaigners in California have mounted a legal challenge to the state's assisted suicide law, arguing that it should be struck down as "unconstitutional".

Not Dead Yet USA, a group of disability activists that oppose euthanasia, believes that: “Policies that make it easier for disabled people to die with help from their doctors are especially dangerous.”

Legal paperwork lodged by Not Dead Yet USA argues that California's 'assisted dying' framework targets people with disabilities more than non-disabled people:

"Assisted suicide laws are based on ableist stereotypes, implicit biases, and long-held fears about living with disability as well as the false idea that it is rational for disabled persons to want to end their own lives.

"These misleading tropes are glorified in Hollywood movies like 'Me Before You'...where the protagonist is portrayed heroically for choosing to be euthanized rather than live with their disability".

The document adds that California's legislation "sends the stigmatizing message that society should endorse and even elevate suicide when the person has a terminal disability".

In the UK, lawmakers in Jersey are considering the introduction of doctor-assisted suicide and Scottish politicians are due to debate member's legislation for the third time.

CARE opposes assisted suicide and euthanasia as morally and ethically wrong, and intrinsically dangerous to vulnerable and marginalised people. More information can be found here:

Assisted Suicide | CARE