The Isle of Man has this morning become the first part of the UK and Crown dependencies to pass an Assisted Dying Bill. Humanists UK and its assisted dying coalition partner My Death, My Decision Isle of Man has welcomed the historic vote.
The Bill will make assisted dying available to adult Isle of Man residents who are of sound mind, are terminally ill, have twelve months or fewer to live, and have a clear and settled wish to die.
Vicky Christian, Chair of My Death, My Decision Isle of Man said:
‘This is a historic day. This Bill will ensure people on the Isle of Man will finally have choice and dignity at the end of their lives. I am incredibly proud of our island for not only listening to its people but, more importantly, listening to those facing the end of life. In this debate, compassion and evidence have prevailed.
‘I want to thank the Members of Tynwald for their dedication to this cause. But above all, I want to thank the individuals who shared their personal stories and stood with us throughout this journey – this has truly been a campaign led by the people.’
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘This is a historic moment. The Isle of Man has become the first part of these islands to extend compassion and freedom of choice to its people by giving them a choice in the place and timing of their death.
‘Evidence and compassion has won out against attempts to wreck and delay the legislation. We urge parliamentarians looking on from elsewhere – from Westminster to Holyrood – to follow in the courageous footsteps of the Isle of Man’s politicians and act so that their citizens can also have the option of an assisted death.’
Today, Members of the Legislative Council, the upper chamber, agreed amendments rejected from the Isle of Man’s lower house – including an amendment to cut the residency criteria from five years to 12 months for someone to be eligible.
The Bill will now go for Royal Assent and the Isle of Man will be the first local jurisdiction to legalise assisted dying, with choice potentially available to terminally ill residents from 2027.
Humanists UK’s Assisted Dying Campaigner Nathan Stilwell, addressed members of the House of Keys in 2022 in support of the Bill.
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For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan@humanists.uk or phone 07456200033.
If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.
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Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.
We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards, but the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.
Read six reasons we need an assisted dying law.
Read more about our analysis of the assisted dying inquiry.
Read more about our campaign to legalise assisted dying in the UK.
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