Isle of Man: Assisted Dying Bill passes key vote

In a significant step towards legalising assisted dying, Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill has successfully passed the third reading in the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s Parliament.

Members of the House of Keys voted 16 in favour, 8 against. The law will now move to the Parliament’s upper chamber, the Legislative Council. Humanists UK welcomes this progressive move, while also expressing disappointment over the exclusion of those suffering from incurable non-terminal conditions from the Bill.

If passed, it could receive Royal Assent in 2025, with the law potentially coming into effect by 2027.

During the clause stage, opponents of the Bill attempted various delaying tactics, including an unsuccessful motion to postpone the debate until November, which was defeated by 14 votes to 9. Additionally, a last-minute amendment proposing a referendum on assisted dying was narrowly rejected by 12 votes to 11. Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) noted that this suggestion of a referendum was insincere, as it could have been proposed earlier in the legislative process. An MHK also attempted to restrict the Bill to people who only have three months left to live or less. And wider efforts to significantly restrict access to assisted dying and to exclude healthcare providers from the decision-making process were defeated.

The Bill, initially published in May, has undergone several amendments during the parliamentary process. Key changes include:

• Extending the eligibility for patients from those with six months left to live to those with a prognosis of twelve months.
• Increasing the residency requirement from one year to five years.
• Mandating that patients must self-administer the medication; Doctors are not permitted to perform the procedure.

Humanists UK believe that any adult of sound mind who is intolerably suffering from an incurable, physical condition and has a clear and settled wish to die should have the option of an assisted death. Being able to die, with dignity, in a manner of our choosing should be understood as a fundamental human right

Nathan Stilwell, Assisted Dying Campaigner for Humanists UK, said:

‘It’s clear that opponents to assisted dying have lost the debate. Tactics have now descended into delaying, confusing and attempting to restrict access to assisted dying. The progress of this Bill is a crucial step towards more compassionate and dignified end-of-life options for Manx people. 

‘Assisted dying should be a fundamental right for everyone. If you don’t want an assisted death don’t have one, but don’t try to restrict the rights of others. People who are suffering deserve the right to make decisions about their future.’