The proposal had originally been contained in a petition to Tynwald at the annual Tynwald Day celebrations last July.
Millie Blenkinsop-French '[called] upon Tynwald to introduce Legislation with the intension to legalize "Assisted Suicide" For people who have a Terminal Illness, and no Quality of life.' She contended that:
'There comes a time in life when "Enough is Enough"
This is the 21st Century- Human Beings should not have to die in Agony, Frustration, or Mental Despair.
Let us be the "First" and pave the way to rectify this deplorable situation
I am not afraid to die — I am afraid of "How I die"'
The proposal was supported by Juan Watterson, Home Affairs Minister (the Isle of Man is not a part of the United Kingdom but rather a Crown Dependency which makes its own laws). Mr Watterson has previously been linked with such efforts but following the 17-5 defeat in the directly-elected lower chamber, prompted in large part by the concerns of the healthcare community, he told the BBC:
'The House has spoken today, it's important for me to respect that decision but, it's something that... obviously I've got my views, a lot of other individual members have got their views, and if the mood of the House or the mood of the public changes in the future, then that'd be a good point to bring it back.'
The last such proposal on Man was made in 2003.
The Welsh Assembly last month voted 21-12 against a motion in support of Lord Falconer's Assisted Dying Bill, which is currently stalled in the House of Lords.
(Image: public domain/Creative Commons)
