The island’s politicians approved the law this morning, voting 32-16 in favour.
In Guernsey, a requete on the issue brought by former Policy & Resources president Gavin St Pier in 2018 failed to gain the States’ backing, and assisted dying remains illegal in the island.
Deputy St Pier intended to lead another requete towards the end of the last States term, but chose against lodging the proposals, saying they required ‘proper debate and scrutiny’ and did not deserve to be rushed.
‘I am unsurprised but delighted that Jersey have now approved assisted dying legislation,’ he said earlier.
‘I’m a little envious that both Jersey and the Isle of Man have got there before us, given Guernsey was first to debate it in 2018, but I’ve said many times it is an inevitable change which a clear majority of the public want, so it is only a question of time before we follow.
‘Jersey’s model and legislation is now a template which Guernsey could follow. Accordingly, I will explore with colleagues the appetite of pursuing the matter further by requete.’
Research from March 2024 indicated nearly nine out of 10 islanders in Guernsey wanted to see a change in the law to allow assisted dying.
The Jersey legislation, which took seven years to bring in, will allow mentally competent, terminally ill adults to end their lives with the help of medical professionals.
To be granted approval for assisted dying in Jersey, a person must have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, have decision-making capacity and have made a voluntary and informed wish to end their life.
They must be at least 18 years old and must have lived in Jersey for at least a year.
The individual must believe they would not be able to bear the suffering their condition would cause them.
Doctors must be satisfied the patient is able to receive and understand the information given to them. They must communicate their decision without coercion or persuasion by another person.
When the draft legislation was proposed, it was reported that an implementation period of 18 months would begin during which a range of systems and safeguarding would be put in place.
The Isle of Man was first in the British Isles to approve assisted dying when its government passed an assisted dying bill last March.
The law applies to terminally ill residents who are mentally competent, have less than 12 months to live, and have been residents of the island for at least five years. It is not expected to be implemented until 2027.
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