A campaign group opposed to assisted dying has claimed the Isle of Man’s new law breaches the European Convention on Human Rights after it was granted Royal Assent.

Manx Duty of Care (MDOC), which campaigns against the legislation, said it was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the decision and called on newly elected members of Tynwald to introduce a Bill to repeal it.

The group also claimed the Act breached the Isle of Man NHS Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The legislation was introduced by former Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson as a Private Member’s Bill and passed through Tynwald in March 2025.

Reacting to the announcement, Dr Allinson said: ‘The announcement of Royal Assent marks an important step forward for our island.

‘There is considerable further work to be done to draw up codes of practice and guidelines with healthcare professionals and provide holistic education and support for all those involved.

‘Key to improving choice and dignity for those facing a terminal illness is investment in palliative care and expanding the choices available for the people of our island and their families.’

In its statement, MDOC criticised the amendments made to the legislation, claiming eight pages of changes were rushed through Tynwald without the usual democratic scrutiny or opportunity for correction.

The group said that, if the legislation was not repealed, the assisted dying service should be operated separately from Manx Care and Hospice Isle of Man.

It argued that this would help protect vulnerable people and healthcare staff, while also raising concerns about the service’s location, funding and the details left to be decided through secondary legislation.

ManxDOC also questioned how the service would be funded alongside palliative care provision and raised concerns about people travelling from the UK to access it.

The Bill’s progress was delayed after the UK Ministry of Justice raised concerns about whether sufficient safeguards were in place to ensure it complied with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Tynwald approved a series of amendments in June aimed at addressing those concerns, including provisions allowing a person to withdraw their request for assisted dying at any stage.

The amended Bill was subsequently resubmitted for Royal Assent.

The Isle of Man became the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to pass assisted dying legislation through its parliament in March 2025.

Jersey’s assisted dying legislation received Royal Assent earlier this year.

Further work is required to develop the codes of practice, guidance and procedures needed to implement the Isle of Man’s legislation.