Assisted dying campaign comes to Jersey

A woman from Jersey, whose mother has terminal cancer, has begun a new campaign to support assisted dying in the island.

Tanya Tupper has set up an Assisted Dying in Jersey Facebook page and has also started a petition.

Tanya's mother Roberta was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer and a brain tumour just over three years ago .

Roberta plans to end her life in Switzerland, but both mother and daughter think islanders should have the right to end their own lives closer to home.

Tanya believes Jersey could be a better place for the legislation, after proposals to bring assisted dying to Guernsey were defeated in the States earlier this month.

Jersey has recently passed mental health laws, including the Capacity and Self Determination Law which is set to come into effect from October 2018.

Protection of elderly islanders with declining mental health was one of the main concerns following the recent Guernsey debate.

Tanya has contacted the newly elected States of Jersey members to hear their views on the issue, with 19 members telling her they are in support of the campaign.

The move is also backed by Guernsey assisted dying campaigner Sarah Griffith, who is advising Tanya on Guernsey's lessons learned so that she is aware of the issues involved.

A meeting will now be held this Sunday with lawyers, politicians and doctors to discuss the next steps for the campaign.