“My death wish is to play with the legends”: the controversial campaign for euthanasia in London

Dignity in Dying, which has been fighting for years for a change in legislation to allow assisted suicide in England and Wales, has defended the campaign as an attempt to make visible the experiences of people who wish to have control over their death. The posters include images of patients such as Sophie Blake, a woman with terminal breast cancer, smiling in her kitchen with the message: “My last wish is that my family does not see me suffer. And that I don’t have to do it. Another advertisement shows a woman with a rock aesthetic accompanied by the following message: “My death wish is to be able to play with the musicians I like.” Another ad shows Anil, who appears saying: “My wish is to know that I have a choice. “My father didn’t have it.” According to a Dignity in Dying spokesperson, the campaign was designed to use “positive images” of real people fighting for their autonomy, and they made sure it complied with advertising regulations set by the Committee of Advertising Practices (CAP). in English).

Is it ethical for these ads to be on the subway, the scene of many suicides?

However, this campaign has generated a significant backlash, both among politicians and civil groups. Not Dead Yet UK, an organization that opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide, called the ads “absolutely in bad taste, given the seriousness of the subject and the risks associated with this law. Additionally, they questioned the ethics of using public spaces such as the subway, where suicide is already a recurring concern. According to data from Transport for London (TfL), there are between 35 and 50 incident suicides per year on the roads of the British capital.

Critics such as palliative care specialist Dr Cajetan Skowronski called the adverts “irresponsible”, rhetorically wondering whether Dignity in Dying plans to take its campaign to Beachy Head, an emblematic cliff 162 meters high located in the county of East Sussex, on the south coast of England, known for being one of the places in the country where most people take their lives.

Even the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed “real concerns” about the possibility of these campaigns having unwanted effects. Criticism also arose of Transport for London, the entity responsible for transport in the city, for allowing advertisements while maintaining a strict policy that since 2019 has prohibited, for example, fast food advertising.

The controversy reached another level when some of the signs were covered on Thursday with posters from Samaritans, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention and support for people in crisis, although Samaritans was quick to clarify that this action was not authorized.

This intense discussion is taking place at a particularly sensitive time, as the British Parliament prepares to debate and vote this Friday on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes allowing assisted suicide in England and Wales for adults. mentally competent with terminal illnesses and less than six months to live. This is the first attempt in a decade to change the legislation on this issue, which has unleashed a wave of divided opinions both inside and outside Parliament.

Polls indicate that 65% of Britons support legalization

While polls indicate that 65% of Britons support legalizing assisted suicide, support within the Parliament is not so solid. Some legislators highlight the importance of ensuring that there is no coercion towards vulnerable people, who could feel pressured to choose this route if the law is approved. On the other hand, defenders of the project argue that it is a question of autonomy and personal dignity.

The advertising campaign has exacerbated tension, with some MPs criticizing what they see as tactics “inappropriate” from both sides of the debate. For example, posters placed at Westminster Station, near Parliament, have been pointed out as attempts to influence MPs. For their part, opponents of the project have used social media and targeted ads to urge citizens to contact their deputies and ask them to vote against the proposal.

The debate has also extended to civil society. Although many citizens value the idea of ​​having control over the end of their lives, others believe that it should be prioritize improving palliative care before implementing new laws on assisted suicide. According to a recent survey, 64% of people believe that strengthening end-of-life care should be the priority over any legislative reform.

Meanwhile, the personal stories of those who support legalization and those who reject it continue to occupy a central place in the public discussion. Anne Ransome, a 71-year-old retired secretary, told the local press: “I am in favor of assisted suicide.” as long as it is guaranteed to be the person’s genuine desirewithout any coercion. However, others, such as MP Patrick Hurley, expressed discomfort with the campaign. «Although I have not yet decided how I will vote, it seems imprudent to me to promote suicide on the subway. “This is problematic for reasons that I think are obvious,” he wrote on social media.

The vote, scheduled for this Friday, promises to be one of the most significant in the social sphere in recent years in the United Kingdom. If the project manages to overcome this initial stage and becomes law, England and Wales would join countries such as Canada, Australia and some states in the United States in legalizing assisted suicide.