Green paper “next step” for assisted dying in Jersey

Thursday 06 September 2018

The daughter of a terminally-ill woman planning to end her life in Switzerland is pushing for a government green paper after more than 1,000 islanders backed the introduction of “assisted dying” in Jersey.

Campaigner Tanya Tupper last month launched a petition in favour of allowing islanders a say in how and when they die inspired by her mother, Roberta.

The mother and grandmother was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer, which later spread to her bones and brain. She then became determined to end her life at Dignitas in Switzerland.

But while Roberta is willing to travel for the procedure, the pair feel that all islanders with life-limiting conditions should have the option to spend their last days at home.

Pictured: Tanya's mother, Roberta, who inspired the 'End of Life Choices' campaign.

In just two weeks, the petition has racked up over 1,000 signatures – enough to secure a response from the Health Minister. 

At the time of writing, Deputy Richard Renouf has 26 days left to respond.

Welcoming the “really good news”, Tanya told Express that she’d like the Minister to start consulting on the idea with islanders. 

“We’d like to go for a green paper, based on discussion with politicians and the community… We think there should be a lot of input from the community before we go in with a proposition. We want to make sure people fully understand the issues.” 

Getting islanders involved to ensure that the final proposals suit as many islanders as possible could be the key to securing the success of the idea, according to Tanya. That’s where Guernsey went wrong, she says, referring to the island’s unsuccessful attempt to pass assisted dying legislation in May.

Political support will also be vital for the campaigner. She says that “a few” States Members have already approached her about the idea, but she’ll be writing to the entire Assembly next week in a bid to get more on side. 

Despite the substantial report for her petition, Tanya has pledged to continue her awareness-raising efforts alongside a team of supporters. Together, the campaign group have called themselves ‘End of Life Choices Jersey’.

Armed with leaflets and dressed in t-shirts marked “we choose how to live, let us choose how to die”, the group will be taking to King Street on Saturday to educate islanders on the issue and continue securing petition signatures. If it reaches 5,000, States Members will have to debate the issue.

Pictured: Tanya (left), photographed next to her mother, would like to see a government green paper on assisted dying.

They have also organised a screening of ‘Endgame’, a film on the topic featuring interviews with medical, legal and religious leaders, as well as personal accounts of those with experience of assisted dying. Shown at the Arts Centre on 9 October at 15:00 and 20:00, it will be followed by a Q&A with the producer, Andi Reiss.

He described the film as “an engaging investigation into the complexities surrounding assisted dying.”