A UK coalition of groups opposed to euthanasia has expressed sadness at the death of Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort whose life was ended by euthanasia yesterday, but warns against changing the law in the UK.

Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care Not Killing, commented: “It is extremely sad news that Ms Vervoort has chosen to end her life this way – But her death highlights how the right to die has become a duty to die in both Belgium and their near neighbours in the Netherlands.

“In these countries, laws which were only ever supposed to apply to mentally competent terminally ill adults have been extended and safeguards removed. Euthanasia laws in Belgium and the Netherlands now include those who are not terminally ill, disabled people, non-mentally competent adults, those with mental health problems, couples and even children.”

Care Not Killing is a UK-based alliance bringing together over 40 organisations – human rights and disability rights organisations, health care and palliative care groups, faith-based organisations groups – and thousands of concerned individuals.