The Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill has been granted Royal Assent more than 18 months after Tynwald, the island’s parliament, passed it. Terminally ill adults who have lived on the island for at least five years, and who are expected to have 12 months or less to live, will be able to request an assisted death under strict safeguards. Humanists UK, which has campaigned alongside Manx campaigners for many years, welcomes this long-awaited milestone.
Tynwald passed the Bill in March 2025, making the Isle of Man the first part of the British Isles to pass an assisted dying law. The law was brought forward by Dr Alex Allinson, a former Member of the House of Keys (MHK). Humanists UK presented to Tynwald ahead of the Bill’s Second Reading in 2023, and has worked closely with local campaign group My Death, My Decision Isle of Man through the Assisted Dying Coalition.
The Isle of Man follows Jersey, whose assisted dying law received Royal Assent in July. Terminally ill people in England and Wales still have no such choice, after the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill narrowly fell at its Second Reading in the House of Commons in September.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘This is a historic day for the Isle of Man, and above all for the terminally ill people and families who campaigned for so long to see it. Terminally ill Manx people will soon have a compassionate choice at the end of life, under strict safeguards.
‘The Isle of Man and Jersey have shown that a safe assisted dying law, with strong safeguards, can be passed in the British Isles. Dying people in England and Wales are denied the same choice.’
Vicky Christian, Organiser of My Death, My Decision Isle of Man, said:
‘Today I feel above all a huge sense of relief. Tynwald made the right decision, and after a long and anxious wait, dying people on the Isle of Man will finally have the choice so many of us have campaigned for.
‘As a humanist, I believe each of us should be able to make our own decisions about the end of our lives, guided by our own values. We are especially proud that the law will cover people with a prognosis of 12 months or less. We campaigned hard for that, because it means people facing a terminal illness won’t be forced to endure months of suffering before they can even ask for help.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Humanists UK has people and their loved ones who would be affected by a change in the law available for the press. 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.
Read more about our work on assisted dying.
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, and 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 alongside it, as in many other countries.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year, and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are both members of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.