LANDMARK legislation to introduce a legal right for Islanders with terminal conditions to end their lives passed the final hurdle in the States Assembly this morning.
Following a lengthy debate that marked the end of a seven-year process to bring in assisted-dying legislation in Jersey, details of the new law were approved by politicians.
Members spent around two days debating several amendments to the proposals, before eventually approving the law 32-16 this morning.
The major elements of contention during the debate were centred on three amendments which Deputy Binet had not accepted, one from Deputy Barbara Ward and two from the review panel which had scrutinised the legislation.
The legislation comes after a 2024 Assembly vote in favour of setting up a service for Islanders with terminal illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases, which built on a 2021 decision in which the Assembly supported assisted dying “in principle”.
The new law provides a framework for terminally ill adults living in Jersey to end their lives under carefully defined conditions and strict safeguards.
The legislation, put forward by the island’s Council of Ministers, sets out who could be eligible, how the process would work and what checks would apply.
In England and Wales, the Assisted Dying Bill is currently under scrutiny in the House of Lords after being passed by the House of Commons in June. Scotland is considering its own legislation.
The Isle of Man has already passed an Assisted Dying Bill. Tynwald approved the legislation on 25 March 2025. The service is planned to be in place by 2027.
In Guernsey, States Members explored assisted dying in 2018 but voted against progressing proposals at that time. Before the Island’s general election last June, plans for a debate were stood down, and the new Assembly has not yet approved legislation.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said: “This is a historic moment for Jersey and a momentous vote of confidence for compassion, dignity, and choice at the end of life. For far too long, terminally ill people were denied the right to decide the manner and timing of their own deaths. Today, Jersey has changed that.
‘The proposals contain strong safeguards and reflect the clear wishes of the public, who have spoken through citizens’ juries and repeated surveys. Today, Members of the States Assembly have listened to those voices and have brought choice and compassion to those facing the hardest of circumstances.”
More in tomorrow’s JEP
