TO THE HONOURABLE THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The Petition of certain citizens of New South Wales state that:

We would like to bring to your attention research in relation to the effects of Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation internationally.

Research by the United Nations Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council (2021) warns that the legislative trend towards voluntary assistive dying is pressuring people with a disability or disabling conditions and older persons to end their lives prematurely.

Case studies from the Netherlands by I. Tuffrey-Wijne (2018) raised concerns about euthanasia and assisted suicide on people with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder as it illustrates the potential risk of wrongful death.

Additionally, M.J. Shariff (2012) has also undertaken further research detailing the slippery slope of euthanasia. Likewise, a review by M. Zworth (2020) of 163 studies identified complications from euthanasia that may cause patient, family, and provider distress along with a "prolonged duration of the dying process," and lastly, J. Pereira (2012) concluded that assisted suicide affects the "values of society over time", places "many people at risk" and "does not provide safeguard or control".

Petitioners request that the House will vote against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021.