Overview

• The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, cleared its first parliamentary hurdle with a 70–56 vote at Holyrood.
• The legislation proposes allowing mentally competent adults with terminal illnesses to seek medical assistance to end their lives under strict safeguards, including two-doctor approval and a 14-day cooling-off period.
• The bill now moves to committee review, where MSPs are expected to propose amendments to address concerns about safeguards and eligibility criteria.
• Opponents, including disability advocates, warn that the bill's current safeguards may not adequately protect vulnerable individuals from coercion or societal pressures.
• If passed, Scotland would join countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland in legalizing assisted dying under specific conditions.