STATES Members are being urged to progress refined proposals for assisted dying “without further delay” in an online letter from campaign group Dignity in Dying signed by around 1,900 Islanders.
The group said that this “goundswell of support” constituted a “clarion call” to act without further delay.
Campaigns manager Fran Hall said: “This letter and its growing number of signatories will be formally presented to the States next year, a clear message that the Jersey public will hold their elected representatives to account on this historic issue.
“It is incumbent upon the States Assembly to honour its commitment to change without further delay and restore the Jersey public’s confidence in this process.”
The government plans to debate detailed proposals by the third quarter of next year, following a review by ministers that takes account of the Jersey Ethical Review Report published on 7 November.
Ministers affected by the new legislation – those for Health, Home Affairs and Environment – are currently working on that review.
However, some supporters of assisted dying locally have expressed frustration at the Health Minister’s approach, and UK campaign group Dignity in Dying has published on online letter urging the States to avoid further delay.
The letter says: “Two years ago, in November 2021, we were delighted and proud when the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to agree in principle to assisted dying.
“We applaud our States Members for grasping this incredibly important issue, and commend those in government who have been working diligently ever since on producing proposals for law change that are compassionate, robustly safeguarded, and extensively evidenced.
“However the publication of, and debate on, these refined proposals has been pushed back by several months, and we urge our States Assembly to ensure these proposals are debated on schedule in 2024 and without further delay.”
They say that, in the absence of an assisted dying law with “upfront safeguards”, those who are dying who want choice over how they die “are left in a legislative no man’s land that is unfair, unequal, and unsafe”.
They cite the case of Islanders Alain du Chemin who died of a brain tumour in Jersey, but had explored options to travel to an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, and Crispin Ellison who made the journey to Switzerland when he was dying from motor neurone disease.
The letter, which is addressed to the Chief Minister, concludes: “For those at the very heart of this debate, dying people and their families, change is desperately and urgently needed.
“The most dangerous choice we can make now is to do nothing.”
