The island could be the first in the British Isles to legalize assisted dying
The legislature of the Isle of Man has greenlit the final version of the Assisted Dying Bill, putting it on track to be the first in the British Isles to legalize assisted dying.
According to the Associated Press, the bill grants terminally ill adults with less than a year to live the ability to end their lives. Doctors must opt-in to provide the service to those who make such a choice.
The bill, which was introduced by House of Keys member Dr. Alex Allinson in 2022, requires candidates to have been Isle of Man residents for five years.
“It has been a long process, but it was something that, when I went into politics, I was committed to try to advance. People have been trying on the Isle of Man for the last 20 years to provide dignity and autonomy for those who are facing an imminent death,” Allinson said in a statement published by the AP.
He expressed hope that the bill would be passed into law this year and implemented by 2027. He explained that the bill was written with care to protect people from being pressured into assisted dying, addressing concerns from opponents that the disabled, elderly, ill and depressed could be pushed to make such a decision to avoid being a burden on others.
Nonetheless, the process of enacting the law remains in debate.
In a statement published by AP, Christian Action Research and Education’s James Mildred described the bill’s approval as a “deeply sad step.” The Assisted Dying Bill is set to go before King Charles III for the formal approval that will pass it into law.
England and Wales lawmakers are discussing an assisted dying bill that received initial approval last November. Lawmakers in Scotland will vote on a similar legislation shortly.
The Isle of Man has 84,000 residents between northern England and Ireland.
