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Reuters

French lawmakers on Wednesday adopted ⁠a bill that will create a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses, capping an intense ethical and political debate.
The legislation will, under strict conditions, allow a person who requests it to receive a lethal substance. The substance could be self-administered or, if the person is physically unable to do so, administered by ‌a doctor or nurse.
Access to assisted dying will be restricted to adults who are French citizens or legal residents in France, and who suffer from a serious and incurable illness that is life-threatening and in an advanced or terminal phase, experience constant physical or psychological suffering linked to that condition and are able to express a free and informed choice.
The lower house of parliament, in a final vote, adopted the text by 291 votes to 241.
“On this issue, which is as personal as it is serious, and which concerns life, suffering and dignity, there was only one possible approach: to take the time ⁠to listen, engage in dialogue and hold a debate,” President Emmanuel Macron said on social media.
“In 2022, I made a commitment to forge this path together with the ‌French people. With seriousness, humility and full respect for our democracy, I have honoured that commitment.”

Opinion polls have consistently shown ⁠broad public support for allowing assisted dying in France. An Ifop poll published in February found that 84 per cent of respondents approved of the ‌bill.
Supporters say the legislation will give people facing unbearable suffering at the end of life greater autonomy and control over how they die, while maintaining strict safeguards.
“Can it still be called a life when ‌the suffering is so great that you can no longer do anything?” said Anne Raynaud, a representative of France’s ⁠association for the right ⁠to die in dignity (ADMD).
“People will be able to decide for themselves when and how they want to die once their suffering has become unbearable and can no longer be ‌relieved.”
Opponents, including sections of the medical profession and religious groups, argued that legalising assisted dying could put pressure on vulnerable people.
The Catholic Church is among those that have ‌opposed the ‌legislation, with one bishop threatening to deny communion to lawmakers who support it.
“A society grounded in fraternity supports, protects, and cares ‌for people. It never gives up on the most fragile among us,” former interior minister Bruno Retailleau, a conservative presidential candidate, said on ⁠social media.

Assisted dying is already permitted in several European countries, including Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, under varying legal frameworks.
Several US states ⁠also allow medically assisted dying for terminally ill patients.
France’s Senate, where the conservative right has a majority, voted against it, but the lower house of parliament has the final word – even though the bill could still be reviewed by the ‌Constitutional Council and amended.
The bill establishes ‌a detailed procedure. Patients must submit a request to a doctor, who reviews eligibility with at least one other doctor and another healthcare professional.
If the request is approved, patients must confirm their request after a minimum two-day reflection period.
Healthcare workers may opt out but must provide the patient with the names of healthcare professionals willing to help the patient end their life.
If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can dial 18111 for the government-run Mental Health Support Hotline. You can also call +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.


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France

French parliament adopts landmark assisted-dying bill

The French National Assembly is draped with the artwork “Marianne Dreams” by French street artist Seth before lawmakers vote on an assisted-dying bill in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Screens show the result of a vote on the bill establishing a right to medical aid in dying at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

epa13112797 People hold signs reading ‘I am not a reason to die’ and ‘Before a dignified death, I want to see a dignified life’ during a protest against the assisted dying bill in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Spanish woman Noelia, 25, dies by euthanasia after father loses legal bid to stop her

Anti euthanasia protesters stand outside the Spanish parliament in Madrid in March 2021. The banner reads “Government of Death” in Spanish. Photo: AP

A man holds a placard reading “To choose to die without suffering” during a demonstration in support of a law legalising euthanasia in Madrid in March 2021. Photo: AFP

A protester dressed as Death demonstrates against a law legalising euthanasia in Madrid in March 2021. Photo: AFP

UK bill to allow assisted dying fails as parliamentary time runs out

People protest for the assisted dying bill outside parliament in London on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Campaigners for assisted dying have expressed their anger at the sight of unelected politicians holding up the will of the elected chamber. Photo: EPA

Swiss right-to-die group founder dies by assisted suicide

Ludwig Minelli in 2012. Photo: AFP

Swiss police detain suspects over use of Sarco ‘suicide capsule’

The Sarco assisted suicide capsule. Photo: AFP

Several people had been taken into custody after the Sarco suicide pod was used in Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Swiss police announced that several people had been taken into custody after the Sarco suicide pod was used. Photo: AFP

News

World

Europe

Access will be restricted to adults with incurable life-threatening illnesses who are in constant suffering linked to the condition


Access will be restricted to adults with incurable life-threatening illnesses who are in constant suffering linked to the condition.


Medicine

Human rights

Bruno Retailleau

Emmanuel Macron

French parliament adopts landmark assisted-dying bill

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Access will be restricted to adults with incurable life-threatening illnesses who are in constant suffering linked to the condition

Access will be restricted to adults with incurable life-threatening illnesses who are in constant suffering linked to the condition