Isle of Man set to legalise assisted suicide

The Isle of Man could be the first part of the British Isles to introduce assisted suicide.

A Bill to legalise the practice was voted through the parliament's upper chamber today.

It will now be put forward for Royal Assent and, barring any legal challenge, become law.

CARE has described the move as "deeply sad", saying it will lead to terrible injustices.

The legislation would allow people who have been residents for five years to access assisted suicide.

Those eligible must be diagnosed with a terminal illness and an estimated 12 months or less to live.

The legislation also requires people to have a "settled intention" to end their lives.

Responding to the news James Mildred, Director of Communications and Engagement at CARE, said:

"This deeply sad step turns the Isle of Man's longstanding approach to suicide on its head. If the law passes, authorities will no longer affirm the equal value of every citizen living on the island.

"Those overseeing the legislation have ignored very stark warnings about the prospect of vulnerable people being coerced into ending their lives, and people acting after a wrong prognosis.

"They have also rejected strong evidence of abuses and incremental expansion of legislation overseas. And evidence that many people choose assisted death because they feel like a burden.

"The cultural change assisted suicide engenders is a negative one. Recognising the equal dignity and worth of every person and safeguarding the most vulnerable requires keeping it off the statute book."