Jersey’s parliament has voted in favour of drawing up controversial laws to establish an assisted dying service on the island for terminally ill people.
An impassioned and emotional States Assembly debate saw members become tearful as their voices broke while speaking during a lengthy and divisive discussion.
This follows a report in March setting out how such a service might work for adults resident in Jersey, with a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life.
Jersey’s government has said that to be able to access the assisted dying service, a person must have been a resident of the Channel Island for at least 12 months prior.
Members at States Greffe in St Helier yesterday voted by a majority of 32 to 14 for a service for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease – known as route one.
But an option, known as route two, to extend a law to people with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering – was rejected by a majority of 27 to 19.
![Dignity in Dying protesters demonstrate while States of Jersey Government Ministers were entering the States Assembly building to debate the Assisted Dying Law yesterday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/08/85237931-0-image-a-1_1716450048690.jpg)
Dignity in Dying protesters demonstrate while States of Jersey Government Ministers were entering the States Assembly building to debate the Assisted Dying Law yesterday
![This is the moment Jersey's parliament voted yesterday for a service for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/08/85238481-13450763-image-a-17_1716451042578.jpg)
This is the moment Jersey’s parliament voted yesterday for a service for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease
Most members voted in favour of an opt-out for health professionals, giving them a right to refuse to participate in assisted dying.
A majority also voted for a minimum timeframe between the point at which a person makes a first formal request for an assisted death and the administration of the substance that leads to that death – proposed as 14 days.
In 2021, just over three-quarters (78 per cent) of the members of a citizens’ jury in Jersey agreed that assisted dying should be permitted.
Later that year, the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide ‘in principle’ to allow assisted dying.
During the discussion yesterday, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham praised members for the ‘respectful, considerate and sensitive debate’.
Assembly member Constable Mike Jackson suggested a public vote by way of referendum would have been a better approach.
He said he felt the proposed legislation ‘should have been the subject of a referendum, given the clear split in views on the matter’.
Mr Jackson added: ‘That may yet come, of course.’
Deputy Tom Coles, speaking of the right to choice both for those who support assisted dying and those who do not, had to pause to compose himself, before saying: ‘I know my wife would do anything for me. But if I get to my end… if I get to my end, I do not want her to do the things that I don’t want her to do for me.
‘I want this to be my choice. And I think that, by denying anybody their right to choose, when they get into that situation, that is not fair.
‘But I also respect that there are people who will not wish to do this service. There are people who do not want this to be their choice. And I also support that.
‘So the fact that this entire process is completely opt-in and not opt-out is where I find my balance with all this.’
Fellow States Assembly member, Reverend Michael Keirle, known as the Dean of Jersey, warned of the risks of people coming under pressure to end their lives, especially under what is known as route two for those with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering.
![Members of the States Assembly voted for a service for terminally ill people on the island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/08/85138127-0-A_debate_in_the_island_s_States_Assembly_today_will_precede_a_vo-a-4_1716450069422.jpg)
Members of the States Assembly voted for a service for terminally ill people on the island
He told the Assembly: ‘It would be fantastically naive to think that people won’t come under some kind of indirect societal pressure, especially under route two.
‘As a priest I’ve seen grooming at every level. In 35 years of ministry I’ve seen humanity at its absolute best in death and, sadly, at its absolute worst.
‘As the old saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a family.’
Deputy Elaine Millar acknowledged that, due to the divided nature of opinion on the controversial issue of assisted dying, ‘very large numbers of people would be disappointed by the outcome’ no matter which way the vote went.
It is expected the process for drafting a law could take around 18 months, with a debate then taking place by the end of 2025.
If a law is approved, it is expected a further 18-month implementation period will then begin, meaning the earliest for it to come into effect would be summer 2027.
Jennifer Bridge, leader of Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, described it as a ‘historic day for Jersey’.
She said: ‘I hope States Members will continue to give their support to this reform because the vast majority of us agree that an assisted dying law would be safer and kinder than the status quo.’
Sarah Wootton, from pro-change organisation Dignity in Dying, described the vote as a ‘victory for compassion and common sense’.
‘We congratulate States members for listening to the wishes of Jersey citizens and rejecting the assisted dying ban,’ she said.
‘They have recognised that doing nothing and maintaining the status quo is unconscionable.’
And Humanists UK chief executive Andrew Copson said: ‘This is a momentous victory for human dignity and personal autonomy. Jersey’s politicians have shown great courage and compassion in their assisted dying vote.
‘We hope this progressive move will inspire politicians across the UK to follow suit, recognising the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives, free from unnecessary suffering.’
However, he added that the vote was ‘bittersweet’ because it ‘lets down people who are suffering from incurable conditions, like multiple sclerosis, denying them the choice of an assisted death’.
Trevor Moore, the chair of My Death, My Decision, said: ‘This is an encouraging step for Jersey in its progress to a compassionate assisted dying law. Politicians in the UK should take note.
‘The proposals put forward are detailed, safe and compassionate. Finally, residents of Jersey will have the choice of a dignified end.’
Alistair Thompson, from anti-euthanasia group Care Not Killing, has warned that legalisation could lead to so-called ‘suicide tourism’.
![It is expected the process in Jersey for drafting a law could take around 18 months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/08/85237933-0-image-a-2_1716450050934.jpg)
It is expected the process in Jersey for drafting a law could take around 18 months
Assisted dying is illegal across the UK, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
The last attempt to change the law was defeated in 2015, but there are signs that public opinion is changing.
An Opinium poll in February for the Dignity in Dying group indicated 75 per cent support for a change in the law.
UK MPs have since debated an e-petition signed by more than 207,000 calling for a vote on it.
The petition was launched by television presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, who signed up to assisted dying facility Dignitas after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
According to Dignity in Dying, nearly 350 Britons have ended their lives at the clinic in Switzerland, where assisted dying is allowed.
Leaders of both main UK political parties have indicated they would be open to a vote on the matter.