France Moves Closer to Legalizing Assisted Dying

On 30 June, the French National Assembly approved a controversial bill establishing the right to assisted dying for the third time, according to idea.de. The bill passed by 295 votes to 232, with 35 abstentions. The final vote is scheduled for 15 July. If the bill gains support again, it will become law.

The bill sets out five conditions for accessing assisted dying. Applicants must be of legal age, hold French citizenship or permanent residency in France, suffer from a serious and incurable illness in an advanced or terminal stage, endure the pain associated with it, and be capable of freely and knowingly expressing their will. Patients are to administer the lethal substance themselves, though in exceptional cases a doctor or healthcare professional may do so.

The law includes a conscience clause for individual doctors and healthcare professionals, but not for healthcare facilities.

The French Bishops' Conference and representatives of Protestant churches have repeatedly spoken out against the bill. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich said French society needs more "help for life" than "help for death". Archbishop Vincent Jordy warned of the law's consequences for the most vulnerable and pointed to developments in the Netherlands, where assisted dying is already being performed on children.

The Senate has already rejected the bill twice. It will debate the text again starting 7 July, but the National Assembly will have the final say on 15 July.

(IDEA, bak)