"Victory For Common Sense And Compassion"

Campaign group Dignity in Dying has called the decision to approve a proposition to legalise assisted dying in Jersey, in principle, 'a victory for common sense and compassion.'

It was passed by 36 votes to 10.

More detailed proposals, including all safeguards, will be brought back to the assembly for politicians to look at before October 2022.

A draft law is set to come before the States before the end of March 2023.

Many States members mentioned Alain du Chemin in their speeches. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2019 and underwent several bouts of treatment to try and extend his life, which proved unsuccessful.

He planned to end his life at a Dignitas clinic in Switzerland and campaigned for Jersey to introduce assisted dying until his health quickly deteriorated.

He passed away earlier this year at the age of 50.

His husband Paul Gazzard has welcomed the successful proposition.

"I am delighted that States Members have chosen today to stand with terminally ill people and their loved ones and reject the ban on assisted dying. I was touched that several speeches referred to Alain; he would have been honoured to have played a part in this historic moment.

Paul Gazzard - whose husband Alain died of an aggressive form of brain cancer - has welcomed today’s result in Jersey.

"I was touched that several speeches referred to Alain; he would have been honoured to have played a part in this historic moment."#YesToDignity pic.twitter.com/i2FVeMFNYB

— Dignity in Dying (@dignityindying) November 25, 2021

"The current law in Jersey meant that Alain was denied the right to die on his own terms at home, forcing us to try to arrange an assisted death abroad in the middle of a pandemic. This sapped time and energy when both were in short supply, taking a toll at an already difficult time. To have had the option of assisted dying in Jersey alongside end of life care would have saved us both so much stress and anxiety in his final months.

"It is heartening to know that other terminally ill people may be given this choice in future and won’t have to suffer as Alain did, and that his tireless campaigning was not in vain."

Dignity in Dying has called the States' decision 'a victory for common sense and compassion.'

"It's a brilliant result and there was a really high-quality debate. The vote itself was a landslide in favour of law reform, which is absolutely fantastic.

"There were many speeches with people who spoke movingly from personal experience and we tend to find that once people have those personal experiences or hear those stories that really touch them, that's when they realise that this choice is so desperately needed for dying people.

Today is a victory for common-sense and compassion.

We commend Jersey’s States Assembly for their open-mindedness.

History will remember those who did the right thing and stood up for dying citizens, as well as those who did not.https://t.co/6Abc7Ly0gF

— Dignity in Dying (@dignityindying) November 25, 2021

"It's incredibly important that the debate is scrutinised and that all the safeguards are drawn up so that the law is robust, but Jersey isn't going at this alone, I think that's really important to say.

"There is huge momentum for change globally and closer to home across the British Isles.

"Scotland has a consultation underway at the moment for a bill to go forward to Holyrood next year, the Republic of Ireland has an ongoing debate and that's being put forward to a special committee which will be reviewed in the next nine months, so there's really a blueprint for Jersey to follow overseas and I think Jersey is now joining that list of progressive countries who are taking these steps forward." - Fran Hall, Campaigns and Engagement Manager for Dignity in Dying.

Many concerns were raised during the debate about the proposed safeguards and vulnerable people possibly being coerced into making decisions they wouldn't make if the law didn't allow it.

More than 60 Jersey medics wrote a letter to the Health Minister before the debate to outline their concerns and to say they won't take part if the legislation goes through.

Ms. Hall says those fears just haven't been borne out in reality.

"If we look to countries such as the US where assisted dying is legal in 11 jurisdictions and has been in place in the state of Oregon for over 20 years, and there hasn't been a single case of abuse in the state of Oregon, who carefully examine and review their law every single year.

"It's a similar story in Australia, where several states have now legalised (assisted dying), and New Zealand as well and the fears simply haven't been realised, there have been no cases of abuse in those jurisdictions and the law works very safely and effectively."