While England and Wales look set to be saved from state-sanctioned murder of the old and sick by the House of Lords, things have taken a turn for the worse in the Channel Islands. Jersey’s politicians have voted through an assisted suicide Bill.
The Bill was passed by 32 votes to 16. It will allow terminally ill adults to receive help to kill themselves if they are expected to die within six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative condition. It also makes provisions for euthanasia, where a doctor or nurse may directly administer the lethal drugs to end the life of their patient.
It will be sent for Royal Assent, with the first assisted suicides expected to happen as soon as next year.
Jersey State Member Louise Doublet, who voted for the legislation, called assisted suicide “one of the most meaningful things we can do for our island.”
The self-described humanist claimed she is “guided by principles of compassion”, and said: “It is a compassionate gift we are giving our island.”
Jersey politician Sir Philip Bailhache, who voted against it, commented: “I’m all in favour of compassion, I’m in favour of people having deaths which are good deaths, but I’m not in favour of the law which has just been passed.
“Life is a precious thing and I don’t think really that it’s for people to remove life in the way in which the assisted dying law is now going to authorise.”