News
2nd February 2024

100,000 people back Esther Rantzen’s assisted dying petition

We have joined forces with Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four cancer, and the Daily Express to force a debate in Parliament

With the backing of tens of thousands of Dignity in Dying supporters, Esther Rantzen’s assisted dying petition has smashed its 100,000 signature target in under a month. This sets the stage for a fresh debate in Parliament.

Your response to the petition on assisted dying is moving and inspirational – Dame Esther Rantzen

The petition, which runs until 5 July, was launched in January following the news that Dame Esther had joined the Dignitas, the assisted dying organisation in Switzerland.

Dame Esther’s message to you:

“If I reach the stage when my life is unendurable, I would love my nearest and dearest to have the memory of my death being one I chose, peaceful and without pain. But at the moment of course I have no choice, and with the law as it stands, if I go to Zurich and my family try to support me, they run the risk of being investigated for assisted suicide. This is not right, not ethical, it must change. “I believe we are at the cusp of change, and it would make a huge difference if you feel able to sign this petition. We have seen that Parliament will listen if we, the public, feel strongly about an issue. And if you do, please add your name to our petition and spread the message to those around you who also believe we should have the choice, and would also sign. Dignity in Dying needs us all. And we need the comfort and reassurance of knowing we will have the choice, if and when the time comes and we need it.”

Reacting to the news our Chief Executive, Sarah Wootton, said:

“Dame Esther’s assisted dying petition has smashed its 100,000 signature target in less than a month, triggering a parliamentary debate. That she has secured such overwhelming support, and so quickly, is testament to the hugely important place she holds in British culture, and to how in tune she is with the public. Like Esther, eight in 10 of us agree the law on assisted dying must change, with many of us having witnessed first-hand the harm it causes to dying people and their loved ones. “Families up and down the country, from all walks of life, are longing for a better, kinder, safer way. This debate will enable them to see whether their own MP agrees that it’s time for change, or whether they are prepared to stand by a status quo that is unsafe, unfair, unequal and more than 60 years out of date. Assisted dying is a movement whose time has come for the UK. Ahead of a General Election, the public deserves to know who will help make that a reality.” SIGN THE PETITION