Why Assisted Dying Bill is back up for debate in Manx parliament

Politicians will once again debate proposed laws to introduce assisted dying on the Isle of Man later.

The Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill 2023, if approved, would allow adults given a prognosis of less than 12 months to live the right to choose to end their own lives.

After much debate in both the House of Keys and Legislative Council, the island became the first place in the British Isles to pass assisted dying legislation in March 2025.

So why is it back for debate in Tynwald more than a year later?

Laws passed on the Isle of Man cannot come into force until after Royal Assent is granted.

It was revealed in April that David Lammy – in his capacity as Lord Chancellor – had declined to recommend the Manx bill for that process.

In a letter to the Manx government, he said key legal protections, while acknowledged, were not written directly into the bill.

As a result, the government was told, it did not currently meet requirements under the European Convention on Human Rights.

In May, MHKs supported having series of amendments aimed at addressing the concerns that had been raised being put forward for debate in Tynwald this month.

They have been put forward by the mover of the private member's bill, Alex Allinson.

Issues identified by the UK Ministry of Justice as in need of stronger safeguards included independent monitoring, protection against coercion, and ensuring individuals had the capacity to make informed decisions.

Supporters of the bill have argued that, although not previously written into the bill, those safeguards would have been included in secondary legislation.

However, those opposed to its further progress have said their absence means it is "fundamentally flawed".

Jersey's parliament became the second to pass assisted dying legislation in February, with that government-backed bill still awaiting Royal Assent.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was defeated in the Scottish Parliament in March.

Although a bill for England and Wales was passed by the House of Commons, it was not passed by the House of Lords in April and ran out of time.

A renewed bid to introduce an identical bill was launched this week.

Should the amendments to the Manx bill be approved, the amended bill will once again be sent for Royal Assent.

However, with a House of Keys general election due to take place in September, the clock is ticking on its progress.

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