Majority in Northern Ireland support assisted dying
Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
Publisher Founding: September 1, 2014
Publisher Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Publication: Freethought Newswire
Original Link: https://humanists.uk/2024/09/16/majority-in-northern-ireland-support-assisted-dying/
Publication Date: September 16, 2024
Organization: Humanists UK
Organization Description: Humanists UK is the operating name of the British Humanist Association. We are a charitable company (no. 228781), formed in 1896 and incorporated in 1928, and registered in England and Wales. Our governing document is our Articles of Association, which can be viewed here.
A recent survey carried out by LucidTalk has shown that 67% of respondents in Northern Ireland back assisted dying becoming legal for terminally ill or incurably suffering people. This result reflects a growing desire for reform, with campaigners urging Stormont to take action. Northern Ireland Humanists is now calling for the creation of a Citizens’ Assembly to ensure that public opinion is properly considered.
The poll posed the question: ‘Would you support the legalisation of assisted dying in Northern Ireland for adults of sound mind who are terminally ill or suffering intolerably from an incurable condition? The law would include rigorous safeguards.’
The breakdown of responses is as follows:
- Definitely: 40%
- Probably: 27%
- Don’t know or not sure: 5%
- Probably not: 9%
- Definitely not: 19%
The polling was commissioned by My Death, My Decision Northern Ireland.
In March this year, the special Oireachtas committee in the Republic of Ireland published its report which recommended that legislation should be introduced to allow for assisted dying.
Boyd Sleator, Northern Ireland Coordinator for Humanists UK, said:
‘This poll makes it clear that a significant majority of people in Northern Ireland are ready for a compassionate law on assisted dying. It is crucial that the voices of those who are terminally ill or suffering unbearably are heard, and that they are offered the choice to end their suffering with dignity. A Citizens’ Assembly would be the ideal way to bring a diverse range of views together, ensuring that any future legislation reflects the will of the people.
‘Northern Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead the way in crafting progressive, evidence-based laws that respect individual autonomy while ensuring proper protections. The conversation around assisted dying is taking place across the UK, Ireland, and beyond, and it’s time for Northern Ireland to actively engage with it.’
Notes
Polling was carried out by Belfast-based polling and market research company LucidTalk. The project was carried out online for a period of 4 days from 16th to 19th August 2024. 3,443 full responses were received. A data auditing process was then carried out to ensure all completed poll-surveys were genuine ‘one-person, one-vote’ responses, and this resulted in 1,051 responses being considered and verified as the base data-set (weighted and unweighted). 3,443 people responded to the question.
For further comment or information, media should contact Boyd Sleator. Northern Ireland Coordinator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 07918 975795.
If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.
Read six reasons we need an assisted dying law.
Read more about our analysis of the assisted dying inquiry.
Read more about our work to legalise assisted dying in the UK.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
License
In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
Copyright
© Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing 2012-Present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Scott Douglas Jacobsen, or the author(s), and In-Sight Publishing with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All interviewees and authors copyright their material, as well, and may disseminate for their independent purposes.
In-Sight Publishing 