Assisting dying Requete definitely coming to the States

Thursday 15 February 2018

A Requete forcing a States debate on assisted dying has gained the required seven signatures, and will be put before our deputies this Spring.

It is expected to be published and lodged with the Greffe on Monday 26 February, with the aim of it being debated seven weeks later, during the States meeting due to start on 18 April.

Deputy St Pier confirmed this on twitter earlier in the week:

Assisted Dying Requete now has the requisite 7 signatures. It will be published and lodged with the Greffe on Monday 26th February, in the hope that it can be debated 7 weeks later at the April sitting of the States of Deliberation, beginning on Wednesday 18th April.

— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) February 12, 2018

The seven deputies who have signed the Requete have not yet been revealed, however they will be announced when it is officially published on Monday. 

Previously, there has been support across the islands for the legalisation of assisted dying.

Earlier in the month a local resident set up a website to support the idea called dignity.gg. It states both the arguments for and against, and asked for anyone else  interested in the campaign to get involved:

Douglas Wilson, the website's founder, said: "I have always found it strange that people should be denied the right to end their life on their own terms.  How can that be someone else's decision?

"It is fair to say that the last few years have strengthened my opinion."

Deputy St Pier publicly supported the website from the day of its launch.

His requete is expected to be debated during the States meeting due to open on 26 February.