More than 1,500 people have signed a petition in support of the late Margo MacDonald’s proposal to allow people who are suffering to end their lives.
It follows the launch of an independent campaign in support of Ms MacDonald’s assisted suicide bill.
Although the respected independent MSP died from Parkinson’s disease earlier this month, her member’s bill is being taken forward by Green MSP Patrick Harvie and will come before Holyrood’s health committee later this year.
The My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign is led by the Humanist Society Scotland and Friends at the End (Fate), which are asking the public to urge their MSPs to vote in favour of the change in the law.
A poll in January showed that 69% of Scots backed the legislation, which would give people suffering from terminal or life-shortening conditions the right to obtain assistance to end their lives in certain circumstances. Just 13% opposed the change. Supporters stress the bill provides reassurances to sceptics, such as strict safeguards against coercion or intimidation, protection for vulnerable groups and guarantees that doctors will not be forced to be involved.
My Life, My Death, My Choice spokesman Bob Scott said: “Public support for a change in the law is at an all-time high. We launched the campaign on the back of the poll results, which showed there was a large amount of support for the assisted suicide bill in Scotland.
“We have been heartened by the strength of feeling and number of people who feel that this should now become law.”