DREDF has just announced the filing of a friend-of-the-court (“amicus”) brief in a Massachusetts assisted suicide case.
Since 1996, NDY has organized numerous amicus briefs in assisted suicide cases, some of which are posted on our website HERE. DREDF has joined several of these briefs, but this is the first time DREDF has also served as counsel.
To DREDF’s great credit, this brief been joined by eighteen other national and Massachusetts disability groups, more than any previous Disability Brief filed in these cases. NDY, and I believe all that joined in this brief, are deeply grateful for DREDF’s and attorney Michelle Uzeta’s leadership, legal scholarship and skill in representing us before the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in this important case.
Here is DREDF’s announcement, which links to their strongly and expertly argued brief.
DREDF Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of Itself and Eighteen Other Organizations Opposing Efforts to Establish a Constitutional Right to Assisted Suicide in Massachusetts
The question of whether a constitutional right to assisted suicide exists must be addressed and understood from the perspective of the class of people who will be most adversely impacted if such a right is found – people with disabilities, whether terminally ill or not. On February 14, 2022, DREDF filed an amicus brief on behalf of itself and eighteen other organizations in Kligler v. Healy to provide such a perspective. Kligler is an appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts that seeks to establish a constitutional right to assisted suicide. The nineteen amici are recognized authorities in the field of disability rights who oppose the legalization of assisted suicide. The brief of amici discusses how assisted suicide discriminates against people with disabilities, degrades their perceived value and worth, and puts them at higher risk of discrimination and abuse.
From page 2 of the Disability Brief:
FULL LIST OF AMICI CURIAE
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
The Arc of the United States
The Arc of Massachusetts
American Association of People with Disabilities
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
