Supporter of assisted dying encouraged by Jersey’s vote
A deputy at the forefront of calls to legalise assisted dying in Guernsey has said he is ‘delighted but unsurprised’ to hear of Jersey’s decision to do so.
Gavin St Pier, who unsuccessfully led a campaign to change local laws in 2018, was pleased at the size of majority of Jersey politicians in favour of the proposal, which he said was in line with public opinion reflected in all recent polling.
Jersey’s States voted to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults with six months or fewer left to live the right to die, with this extending to 12 months for people with neurodegenerative conditions.
A majority of 32 Assembly members voted in favour, with 14 against.
The decision follows the Isle of Man moving forward with its own assisted dying plans in recent weeks.
Deputy St Pier said the proposals in Jersey’s legislation appeared to be well researched, balanced and compassionate, giving individuals more end-of-life choice, and recognised the personal nature of such a decision.
‘The package better protects the terminally ill than the present unregulated environment,’ he said.
‘At the moment, if individuals want choice and can afford it, they are forced to travel in secrecy to Switzerland to die away from home and loved ones, and if they can’t afford it they may
try and succeed, or try and fail to take their own lives, with all the trauma that brings to them and their families.
‘Failing that, the management of their final days and hours are left to the judgement of individual clinicians with all the inconsistency that comes from that.’
While he acknowledged that assisted dying may not be the most pressing day-to-day issue for Guernsey’s community, he said that setting a framework that gave individuals end-of-life choice, along with high-quality palliative care and advance decision-making to ensure everyone had the best death possible, was an obligation of government.
He added that he still intended to lead a requete on end-of-life choice before the end of the current States term.
‘I’ve waited to watch progress in the Isle of Man and Jersey, both of whom have now clearly decided to move ahead with similar regimes.
‘As both Guernsey and Jersey have a clean legislative sheet, there would be an opportunity for us to share resources and move forward together in drafting legislation.’
