Humanists UK’s response to Noel Conway Supreme Court case today

Humanists UK, which is supporting Noel Conway's legal bid, will apply to intervene in the Noel Conway Supreme Court case, as it did at the High Court and Court of Appeal. Humanists UK campaigns to legalise assisted dying across the UK for people who are terminally ill or incurably suffering and who have made a clear decision, free from coercion, to end their lives.  Noel Conway is a 67-year-old retired lecturer from Shrewsbury and a member of Humanists UK who suffers from terminal MND.

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said: ‘Noel hopes to establish that all people who are terminally ill must be able to make their own choices about how they want to die and to have these choices protected by law and we are proud to support Noel’s case.
‘In any assisted dying law there must be strict legal safeguards in place but being able to die, with dignity, in a manner of our choosing, must be understood to be a fundamental human right.’

Nancy Collins, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, who represents Humanists UK, said: ‘We welcome today’s permission hearing by the Supreme Court. We hope that permission will be granted and that the Court will swiftly consider Mr Conway’s case that he should be allowed to choose the manner and timing of his death. We continue to represent Humanists UK who have long campaigned for the right to assisted dying.

‘We hope that the Supreme Court will make a positive finding in support of Mr Conway and the proposed scheme for assisted dying so that terminally ill people are able to choose how and when to die, where they wish to do so. We believe that this is a fundamental right that should now be recognised and protected by the law.’

NOTES:

For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK press manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanism.org.uk or phone 020 7324 3078 or 07 393344293.

Humanists UK is represented by Nancy Collins from Hodge Jones & Allen LLP and Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Graeme Hall of Doughty Street Chambers.

Read more about Noel Conway’s case in our previous media release here: https://humanism.org.uk/2018/04/26/humanists-uk-to-intervene-in-conway-assisted-dying-case-at-court-of-appeal/

Read more about Humanists UK’s campaigns work on assisted dying: http://humanism.org.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/assisted-dying/

Read more about the case of Omid T which Humanists UK also supported: https://humanism.org.uk/2018/10/04/humanists-uk-mourns-death-of-assisted-dying-campaigner-omid-t-who-has-died-in-switzerland/

At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.