Christian charity CARE is calling on Nicola Sturgeon to oppose the assisted suicide bill to protect people with disabilities.

The First Minister of Scotland recently signalled she may support plans to legalise the practice.

In a recent interview with the Daily Record, Ms Sturgeon said she is "more open" to a law change and has no "concluded view" on a member's bill from Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur.

Stuart Weir, National Director of CARE for Scotland said: "The First Minister's statement that she is 'more open' to assisted suicide proposals will be alarming to those opposed to a change in the law, including many members of the disabled people's community. 

"Their lives are already devalued and will be further stigmatised if it reaches the statute book.
 
"In 2015, Ms Sturgeon highlighted the insufficiency of safeguards in legislation allowing physician-assisted suicide. 

"Her assessment was correct then and remains so today. 

"If Scotland opens the door to assisted suicide for the terminally ill, a campaign to widen eligibility will begin in earnest. 

"People with disabilities or mental health conditions could be eligible next. No guarantee made today can rule out expansion by future parliaments or through the courts."

Stuart calls on the First Minister, members of her government, and indeed all MSPs to carefully review the evidence regarding assisted suicide, which confirms that it is dangerous, regressive, and likely to result in profound injustices against some of the most marginalised people in society.