Jersey vote to approve assisted suicide legislation

Politicians in Jersey have voted on Thursday to introduce assisted suicide laws to the island. The States Assembly already approved the principles and draft legislation for the practice to become law over the past two years.

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands, which form part of the British Isles but have their own set of laws. Legislation is passed by the States Assembly who approved plans for assisted suicide back in May 2024. The principles of draft legislation were then also approved in January. They would allow adults with a terminal illness to end their life with the help of a medical professional.

The States Assembly has had several days of debate and members voted on the final legislation on Thursday. Thirty-two voted for the legislation with just 16 voting against its approval. The Minister for Health and Social Services in Jersey said: "Jersey would have one of the safest and most transparent assisted dying laws in the world."

Jersey is not the first of the British Isles to introduce assisted suicide into law. The parliament of the Isle of Man, Tynwald, passed its own law to allow assisted suicide in March 2025. However, the legislation has not yet become law after concerned were raised by the UK’s Ministry of Justice over the safeguards in the Bill.

In Wales this week, the Senedd voted to give their consent to the Westminster’s Assisted Suicide Bill which is currently under consideration in the House of Lords. Should that Bill be passed, it would automatically become law in Wales. However, the Welsh government can set healthcare rules and if the Seneddd had rejected the Consent Motion, assisted suicide provision would only be possible through private providers, and not the NHS. The Senedd voted to give their approval by a narrow margin of 28 to 23.

The Scottish Parliament are currently considering the Bill brought by MSP Liam McArthur to introduce assisted suicide to Scotland. It was approved at Stage One of the legislative process in May last year, and is expected to come to a final vote in March.

Campaigners, including CARE, have opposed the legislation. CARE’s chief executive, Ross Hendry, has said: “When you consider gaps in the provision of palliative care, social care and disability support, it's clear people would feel pressure to end their lives… There are many compelling arguments against assisted suicide.”

Actor and disability activist, Liz Carr, who also opposes the legislation, said on social media: “Some of us have very real fears based on our lived experience and based on what has happened in other countries where it's legal”.