Assisted Dying Bill set for next critical debate in Isle of Man’s Tynwald as attempts to delay progress blocked
Photocall: Tuesday 9th July 2024 at 9am outside Tynwald building, Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PW
Supporters of Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill, people whose loved ones have suffered under the current law, and representatives from Dignity in Dying will gather outside Tynwald for the next debate in the critical Clauses stage on Tuesday 9th July.
From 9am, photos and interviews will be available with Dignity in Dying’s spokespeople and supporters willing to share their personal stories of how their lives have been affected by the current law. Photos from the demonstration will also be available on request.
Next week’s debate comes after Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) voted on Monday 1st July against attempts to further delay the Bill, rejecting 12-11 a proposal of a referendum to be held which would have delayed any legislation coming into effect.
Debates over the last few months have seen large majorities backing key Clauses, and constructive amendments to the Bill. In the first session, MHKs voted by a large margin for the eligibility of assisted dying to be for those who have been given a prognosis of 12 months left to live and voted for eligibility for assisted dying to be open only to those who have been resident of the Isle of Man for a minimum of five years. At the second session, attempts to severely limit access for eligible patients and to remove the choice from healthcare entirely were defeated. During the third session MHKs voted in favour of limiting assisted dying to self-administration, removing the possibility of a doctor directly ending the life of their patient. On June 25th MHKs also rejected 14 to 9 an amendment to postpone the debate until after the Summer recess in November, and voted down further amendments to postpone the debates on other clauses.
The Assisted Dying Bill, introduced by Dr Allinson, MHK for Ramsey and a GP, proposes that the option of assisted dying should be available as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent residents, subject to strict safeguards. Two in three (66%) people in the Isle of Man support introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support, a survey released in October 2023 found.
After the Clauses stage the Bill is expected to receive a Third Reading in the House of Keys in the coming months. If it passes this stage it will progress onto the Legislative Council for further debate and scrutiny. The Bill could then receive Royal Assent as soon as next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to terminally ill Manx residents from 2027.
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For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Senior Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809.
