Assisted dying law debate to continue in Jersey

Politicians will continue debating the details of Jersey government's proposed assisted dying law.

A vote in Jersey's States Assembly had been expected on Wednesday afternoon but with discussion ongoing the debate was adjourned to continue with a final decision now expected on Thursday.

In January, States Assembly members approved the principles of the draft legislation which would enable people with a terminal illness who are experiencing incurable suffering to end their life with the help of a medical professional.

A report from the Assisted Dying Review Panel said while the draft law embedded numerous important safeguards, there were areas which required bolstering.

If approved, the island will become the second place in the British Isles to vote in favour of such a law - following a decision last March in the Isle of Man.

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache said he opposed the principle of assisted dying and had been voting "fairly consistently".

He said: "I have these views because I think that life is fundamentally important and I think the problems of dealing with how to make sure assisted dying doesn't take place on the wrong occasions are pretty difficult.

"One of the problems about beginning along the path of assisted dying is that you don't know where it's going to end and many members have talked about the slippery slope of progression along the path where assisted dying becomes easier and easier."

Campaigners from Dignity in Dying, which supports moves to legalise Assisted Dying, have been in Jersey to watch proceedings.

Chief executive Sarah Wooton said: "I think it's robust, it's had years of debate, it's had three conclusive votes."

She said: "I think it's something that's absolutely fit for the jurisdiction that is Jersey.

"Jersey has crafted the law that's right for them. It is the most permissive bill that is on the table anywhere in the UK and Crown Dependencies."

She said it didn't fit exactly with Dignity in Dying's policy around terminal illness and "capacity right to the point of asking for an assisted death".

"This is about giving dying people choice," she said.

"At the end of the day, Jersey must decide what law it has," she added.

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