Tynwald backs amendments to assisted dying bill
BBCA proposed law which would introduce assisted dying on the Isle of Man will be reconsidered by the UK's Ministry of Justice after changes were backed by the Manx parliament.
Members of Tynwald approved amendments to the Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill 2023 which would allow adults with less than a year to live the right to choose to end their life.
Changes were tabled by the mover of the private member's bill, Alex Allinson, after the UK's Lord Chancellor declined to recommend the original draft for Royal Assent.
The changes focused on stronger safeguards, including protection against coercion and a system of independent post-death review, to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The island's bill completed its passage through the House of Keys and Legislative Council in March 2025 and was then sent to the UK's Ministry of Justice for its consideration.
Laws passed on the Isle of Man cannot come into force unless Royal Assent is granted.
In April, the Manx government was informed that because some safeguards were intended to be part of secondary legislation - rather than included within the bill - it could not be recommended for Royal Assent.
During a two-hour debate in Tynwald, Rob Callister MHK said that while it was recognised that "views remain deeply divided" on the assisted dying issue, the amendments would "materially strengthen" the bill, making it "robust and capable of withstanding legal scrutiny".
The safeguards were a "process essential for public confidence", he said, adding that if assisted dying legislation was made lawful "it must also be defendable".
Gary Clueit MLC said the principle of passing the legislation was "settled" and politicians were now faced with a "narrow and specific task".
He said safeguards "must be a gateway not a wall", and the aim of the motion was to ensure the bill was compatible with European Court of Human Rights.
However, Julie Edge MHK said politicians had carefully considered the bill but were now being asked to approve "all amendments in a block under a standing order meant for minor changes".
"That's not scrutiny," she said, adding it was "not the rigorous standards our legislation demands" and had previously been given.
Treasury Minister Chris Thomas MHK said members had previously been told the bill was compliant with European law but "it wasn't", and the changes failed to address "fundamental issues" including who would provide assisted dying services and how they would be financed.
He warned that the potential "fame" of being the first place to pass the laws "quite quickly becomes infamy" when things "go wrong".
It should now be progressed as a government bill and not a private member's bill, he added.
Bishop Tricia Hillas said the issues that had been raised were "serious concerns that deserve fullest consideration".
"If we're still reviewing those at this stage, perhaps it should give us pause," she added.
But Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said, while he was opposed to the bill, it was "clear and it is acknowledged there does seem to be a democratic will" for it to proceed.
Allinson said the amendments strengthened the bill by introducing "explicit duties to protect vulnerable persons, ensuring that decisions are free and informed, and introducing enhanced safeguards in higher‑risk cases".
He said "crucially", the changes would "establish a comprehensive system of independent post‑death review", ensuring compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The amendments were approved by 16 Members of the House of Keys to six.
Five Members of the Legislative Council voted in favour, with one against.
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