Isle of Man Moves Closer to Legalising Assisted Suicide

The Isle of Man is in the final stages of passing a law that would allow terminally ill adults to end their own lives, potentially making it the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to legalise Assisted Suicide. The legislation applies to those over 18 with a prognosis of 12 months or fewer to live.

The House of Keys has insisted on a five-year residency requirement, rejecting an amendment that would have reduced this to one year. The bill now returns to the upper house for further consideration. If approved, the law could take effect by 2027.

Under the proposed law, which is a similar shape to the Leadbeater Bill in Westminster, eligible individuals must:

• Be terminally ill with less than 12 months to live
• Be over 18 and registered with an Isle of Man GP
• Have legal capacity to decide
• Have their decision confirmed by two independent doctors

A survey in 2023 revealed that one-third of doctors on the Isle of Man would consider leaving if the legislation was introduced.

One, GP Dr Martin Rankin, expressed his concerns about the abuse of safeguards, saying: "The safeguards that are in place on this one, I'm not going to know if somebody has been coerced by a relative into ending their life sooner than they wish. So I really won't be getting involved in it."