One of the British Isles has passed a bill on assisted death

26 March 2025 , 09:19

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One of the British Isles has passed a bill on assisted death

The Isle of Man, a self-governing dependent territory of the British Crown located to the northwest of England, on Tuesday, March 25, approved a bill that will allow terminally ill adults to have the right to choose to end their lives.

According to Reuters, the bill aims to give people with less than 12 months to live the option to receive assistance in ending their life, potentially making the island the first in the British Isles to grant terminally ill people the legal right to die.

Those seeking assisted death must be over 18, registered with a family doctor on the Isle of Man, and have lived on the island for at least five years. Individuals must be deemed mentally competent to make the decision, which must be confirmed by two independent doctors.

"Today, the Isle of Man Parliament passed the assisted death bill, which will now be submitted to the UK Ministry of Justice for royal assent," the report states.

The bill was approved despite some opposition on the island, which has a population of about 84,000. A 2023 survey conducted by the Isle of Man Medical Society among 108 of its members revealed that 74% opposed the bill, and 34% said they would consider leaving the island if it became law.

Elizabeth Baker