22 May 2024
Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said:
“The States Assembly decision to approve assisted dying is designed to assist
terminally ill islanders and their families, giving them autonomy over their end-of-life
choices. Alongside this, we have agreed that robust safeguards will be enshrined in
law.
“Once the new legislation is drafted, which is expected to take up to 18 months, the
States will debate the draft law and, if it is approved, assisted dying could take in place
in Jersey from 2027.
“The assisted dying proposals were debated in a thoughtful, respectful and considered
manner and States Members would like to thank everyone who contributed to the
debate.”
Minister for Health and Social services, Deputy Tom Binet, said:
“I would like to thank the Assembly for a respectful, thoughtful debate. Assisted dying
is a complex topic which gives rise to strong and conflicting emotions – which is as it
should be given that we have been debating about one of the most serious matters we
will ever address.
“I am pleased that the Assembly voted in favour of developing an assisted dying law,
but on a personal level, I think it is matter of regret that they only adopted assisted
dying for the terminally ill and not those experiencing unbearable suffering. However, I
fully accept that this decision reflects the will of the Assembly and wishes of many
Islanders.
“The next step is the law drafting which will take up to 18 months. The draft law will
then need to be debated by the Assembly, followed by an 18-month implementation
period, with the new law coming into effect in summer 2027.”
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