Schottisches Parlament lehnt Sterbehilfe-Gesetz mit 69 zu 57 ab — Rückschlag für Befürworter im gesamten Vereinigten Königreich

EDINBURGH — Das schottische Parlament hat am Dienstagabend mit 69 zu 57 Stimmen ein Gesetz abgelehnt, das todkranken Erwachsenen in Schottland das Recht auf ärztliche Sterbehilfe eingeräumt hätte Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives.. Es war bereits das dritte Mal seit der Dezentralisierung im Jahr 1999, dass Holyrood einen solchen Gesetzesentwurf zurückwies.

Der Abstimmung war eine dreistündige, emotional aufgeladene Debatte vorausgegangen, bei der Abgeordnete beider Lager persönliche Erfahrungen mit Krankheit, Verlust und dem Sterben schilderten Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives.. Gesundheitsminister Neil Gray enthielt sich als einziger der Stimme Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill..

McArthurs gescheiterter Vorstoss

Der Gesetzentwurf stammte vom liberaldemokratischen Abgeordneten Liam McArthur und hätte es Menschen mit einer Lebenserwartung von sechs Monaten oder weniger ermöglicht, medizinische Hilfe beim Sterben in Anspruch zu nehmen . Im Mai letzten Jahres hatte Holyrood noch mit 70 zu 56 Stimmen dafür votiert, den Entwurf in die Ausschussphase zu schicken Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Doch zwischen den beiden Abstimmungen verschob sich die politische Landschaft deutlich. Rund ein Dutzend Abgeordnete aus den Reihen der Konservativen, von Labour und der SNP wechselten die Seiten Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill.. Darunter war auch Russell Findlay, der Vorsitzende der schottischen Konservativen, der im Mai noch zugestimmt hatte Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill..

Da es sich um eine Gewissensentscheidung handelte, gab es keinen Fraktionszwang — die Abgeordneten konnten frei nach ihrer persönlichen Überzeugung abstimmen Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Die Argumente der Gegner

Die Kritiker des Gesetzes argumentierten auf mehreren Ebenen — von medizinethischen Bedenken über Fragen des Behindertenschutzes bis hin zu praktischen Problemen im ohnehin belasteten Gesundheitssystem.

Vize-Premierministerin Kate Forbes betonte, dass ausgerechnet jene Fachleute, die das Gesetz hätten umsetzen müssen — Ärzte, Psychiater, Pharmazeuten und Palliativmediziner — dagegen seien. Organisationen wie das Royal College of Psychiatrists und die Royal Pharmaceutical Society hatten ernsthafte Sicherheitsbedenken geäussert Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Der SNP-Abgeordnete Jamie Hepburn erklärte, er habe seine Meinung seit dem letzten Jahr geändert, weil das Gesetz die Beziehung zwischen Arzt und Patient grundlegend verändern würde Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining.. Der konservative Abgeordnete Brian Whittle warnte, dass Kürzungen bei der Sozialfürsorge das Risiko erhöhten, dass verletzliche Menschen sich zum Sterben gedrängt fühlten, anstatt anderen zur Last zu fallen Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Edward Mountain, ebenfalls konservativer Abgeordneter, argumentierte, der Entwurf würde Ärzten die Möglichkeit geben, den Tod als Behandlungsoption anzubieten — eine Grenze, die aus seiner Sicht niemals überschritten werden sollte Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining.. Jeremy Balfour, ein unabhängiger Abgeordneter und Rollstuhlfahrer, warnte, dass behinderte Schotten angesichts dieser Debatte alarmiert seien Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Die Argumente der Befürworter

Die Unterstützer des Gesetzes stellten die Abstimmung als eine Frage von Mitgefühl und persönlicher Autonomie dar.

McArthur argumentierte, dass das geltende Recht sterbende Schotten seit Jahrzehnten im Stich lasse. Ohne gesetzlichen Rahmen blieben Todkranken nur verzweifelte Alternativen: die Reise in die Schweiz, private Arrangements ohne jegliche Sicherheitsvorkehrungen oder schlicht das Erdulden unerträglicher Schmerzen Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Nach der Abstimmung zeigte sich McArthur erschüttert, räumte aber ein, dass das Ergebnis sich abgezeichnet habe. Je näher die endgültige Abstimmung gerückt sei, desto schwerer habe die Bedeutung der Entscheidung auf den Abgeordneten gelastet Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill..

Einer der bewegendsten Momente der Debatte kam vom SNP-Hinterbänkler George Adam. Seine Frau Stacey, die an Multipler Sklerose leidet und einen Rollstuhl benutzt, verfolgte die Debatte von der Besuchertribüne aus. Adam erklärte seinen Kollegen, dass seine Frau sich die Möglichkeit einer Wahl wünschen würde, sollte sie jemals unerträgliches Leid am Lebensende erfahren Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Sandesh Gulhane, konservativer Abgeordneter und einziger praktizierender Hausarzt in Holyrood, der zudem den medizinischen Beirat des Gesetzentwurfs geleitet hatte, verteidigte die Vorlage als solide und gut abgesichert. Er verwies darauf, dass Umfragen zufolge 81 Prozent der schottischen Wähler das Prinzip der Sterbehilfe befürworteten Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Der Kampf um die Änderungsanträge

In der Woche vor der Abstimmung hatte der Gesetzentwurf erhebliche Änderungen durchlaufen. Die Abgeordneten billigten 175 Änderungsanträge, darunter McArthurs Zugeständnis in letzter Minute, den Zugang auf Patienten mit einer Prognose von maximal sechs Monaten zu beschränken — eine Einschränkung, die er zuvor als willkürlich abgelehnt hatte Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Besonders umstritten war die Streichung von Klauseln, die schottischen Ministern die Befugnis gegeben hätten, Ausbildung und Qualifikation des an der Sterbehilfe beteiligten medizinischen Personals zu regulieren. Diese Befugnisse liegen formal bei Westminster, und die königlichen Ärztekammern bestanden darauf, dass die Sicherheitsvorkehrungen explizit im schottischen Gesetz verankert sein müssten Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Die britische und die schottische Regierung hatten versucht, dies über eine sogenannte Section-30-Anordnung zu lösen — einen Mechanismus zur Übertragung von Kompetenzen zwischen Westminster und Holyrood. Einige dieser übertragenen Befugnisse, die den Umgang mit rechtlich eingeschränkten Medikamenten und Geräten betreffen, waren am 11. März in Kraft getreten Scottish lawmakers vote against assisted dying billpolitico.eu·SecondaryLONDON — Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday evening rejected a bill allowing terminally ill adults to access assisted dying. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) opposed Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's legislation which would have given terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live assistance to end their lives. The bill fell by 69 votes to 57, with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray abstaining..

Auswirkungen auf das gesamte Vereinigte Königreich

Die schottische Abstimmung steht nicht isoliert da. Ein paralleler Gesetzentwurf für England und Wales — der Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — hatte im Juni das Unterhaus passiert, steckt seither aber im Oberhaus fest, wo Gegner über tausend Änderungsanträge eingebracht haben Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Befürworter des englischen Gesetzes werfen den Lords Filibustering vor, während einige Peers ihre Änderungsanträge als notwendige Detailarbeit verteidigen. Der Entwurf wird voraussichtlich nicht vor dem Ende der laufenden Parlamentssession im Mai beide Kammern passieren. Scheitert er, müsste jeder künftige Versuch einer Legalisierung bei null beginnen Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Damit zeichnet sich ab, dass in absehbarer Zukunft kein Teil des Vereinigten Königreichs über legale Sterbehilfe verfügen wird — ein bemerkenswerter Kontrast zum internationalen Trend. Sterbehilfe ist inzwischen unter anderem in Australien, Belgien, Kanada, Luxemburg, den Niederlanden, Neuseeland, Portugal, Spanien, der Schweiz und Teilen der USA legal Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Die britischen Kronbesitzungen Jersey und Isle of Man haben eigene Sterbehilfe-Gesetze verabschiedet, die noch auf die formelle Zustimmung von König Charles III. warten Scottish lawmakers to vote on whether to let terminally ill people end their livesapnews.com·SecondaryLiberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur joins a rally of supporters ahead of MSPs debating his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Neil Pooran/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives..

Wie geht es weiter?

McArthur kündigte an, dass das Thema nach den schottischen Parlamentswahlen im Mai erneut auf die Tagesordnung kommen werde, solange sterbende Schotten unter dem geltenden Recht litten Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill.. Beide Seiten der Debatte waren sich in einem Punkt einig: Schottland braucht eine bessere palliativmedizinische Versorgung Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill..

Die schottische Regierung, die während des gesamten Prozesses eine offiziell neutrale Haltung eingenommen hatte, bekräftigte ihr Engagement für einen gut koordinierten und mitfühlenden Zugang zu Palliativ- und Sterbebegleitung Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dyingtheguardian.com·SecondaryMSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate critics The Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures. MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals in a late night vote on Tuesday – a larger margin than expected, despite a series of last-minute amendments designed to placate critics of the private member’s bill..

Der Blick richtet sich nun wieder nach Westminster, wo das Schicksal des englischen Gesetzes in der Schwebe hängt. Das schottische Ergebnis dürfte Gegner der Sterbehilfe auf beiden Seiten der Grenze ermutigen — und Befürworter frustrieren, die auf die breite öffentliche Unterstützung für eine Reform verweisen.

Die Frage, wie Gesellschaften mit Tod, Selbstbestimmung und den Grenzen der Medizin umgehen, wird nicht verschwinden. Doch in Schottland lautet die Antwort, zumindest für dieses Parlament, weiterhin: Nein.