Draft bill on assisted dying following citizens' jury
On the recommendation of a citizens' jury, the parliament of the British Channel Island of Jersey approved the legalisation of assisted dying in principle on 24 November 2021. A draft law is currently being prepared
In Spring 2021, a citizens' jury has voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the law on assisted dying. 78.3 per cent of the citizens' jury participants voted in favour of allowing assisted dying for adults under certain conditions. However, strict rules should be followed. A majority of 69.6 per cent also believed that assisted dying should be available for people with an incurable disease or unbearable suffering. 22 per cent felt that this option should be limited to the terminally ill.
Citizens' Jury convened in response to a petition
The Citizens' Jury had been convened in response to a petition by the My Death, My Decision's Assisted Dying Coalition partners, End of Life Choices Jersey, which had been signed by 1,861 islanders. The Citizens' Jury of 23 randomly selected people had met online over a ten-week period from March to May 2021.
During the deliberations, the Citizens' Jury members had dealt with a number of issues related to assisted dying. These included, for example, what other countries' attitudes are to this and who should be entitled to make use of assisted dying. It also addressed ethical and faith issues and the perspectives of relatives, carers and loved ones. In addition, experts from the health and social services sectors were heard.
Voting results
First, 47.8 per cent of Citizens' Jury participants agreed in principle that assisted dying should be allowed in Jersey. 26.1 per cent wanted this to depend on the circumstances, while 17.4 per cent opposed assisted dying. 77.3 per cent were in favour of a court or specialist body being involved in the decision-making process before allowing assisted dying. Votes were also taken on assisted dying for the mentally ill, a minimum age, the methods that could be used, those who should be able to provide assisted dying and the need for a cooling-off period between the request and the implementation of assisted dying. In the end, under the conditions set, 78.3 of the Citizens' Jury members were in favour of allowing assisted dying.
The final Assembly report was published on 15 September 2021. The Council of Ministers published a report on assisted dying in September before the Members of the Island Parliament decided on the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly in November 2021.
Citizens' consultation on assisted dying
In October 2022, the Jersey Government launched a citizens' consultation on the citizens' jury's proposals on assisted dying. Islanders and organisations were invited to give their views on how the proposals could be implemented until 14 January 2023. The consultation process consisted of an online survey and events where citizens could voice their opinions. The government published a report on this on 28 April 2023. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, Parliament began its deliberations on detailed proposals on assisted dying in March 2023.
On assisted suicide, Health Minister Richard Renouf said, "If this was ever to be introduced then we must make sure we have the most robust safeguards to make sure that we arrive at decisions that really reflect people's will, and are not decisions that are reached just because people feel they are becoming a burden to their families or society."
Work on draft legislation
On 7 November 2023 the government published an ethics review report. On 22 March 2024, detailed proposals on the regulation of assisted dying were submitted to Parliament. The proposals were approved by Parliament on 21 May 2024. The Minister for Health and Care was asked to submit a draft bill that would authorise assisted dying for people with a terminal illness.
Work is currently underway to prepare a draft law on assisted dying. The preparation of the draft bill is complex and the process is expected to take at least 12 to 18 months. Parliament is expected to debate it by the end of 2025. A working group has been set up to support and advise on the drafting of the assisted dying bill.
Entry into force in summer 2027 at the earliest
If the bill is passed by Parliament, an 18-month implementation period will begin before the law comes into force. During this period, all necessary systems and safeguards will be put in place. These include, for example, the training of healthcare staff and the creation of publicly accessible information on assisted dying.
Parliament will pass a law with a fixed date that determines when the law on assisted dying will come into force. It is assumed that the law will come into force in summer 2027 at the earliest.
Survey majority in favour of assisted dying
A residents' survey conducted in May 2021 on behalf of Dignity in Dying in Jersey had found that 73 per cent of islanders were in favour of assisted dying, compared to 69 per cent on the neighbouring island of Guernsey.
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