It is reported that France is preparing a bill to legalize active euthanasia.
According to foreign media such as France 24 and the Associated Press on the 3rd (local time), President Macron announced in a speech at the presidential palace that day that he would move toward a ‘French model for the way to end life’.
Previously, an advisory committee composed of 184 French citizens recommended the government to legalize active euthanasia on the 2nd. However, the recommendations of this committee are not binding.
President Macron explained that the committee’s opinion would be incorporated into a draft bill to be prepared by the end of this summer. President Macron, who met with the committee on the 3rd, emphasized to them that “the committee’s opinion will be the starting point (for the introduction of the active euthanasia bill),” but “the government will not necessarily follow the committee’s proposal.”
President Macron said euthanasia would only be allowed if a patient suffering from an incurable disease wishes to do so of their own free will.
Until now, patients with incurable diseases who wanted active euthanasia in France have taken part in ‘euthanasia expeditions’ to Belgium and other countries.
France legalized passive euthanasia, such as withholding life support equipment, as the ‘right to die’ in 2005, but active euthanasia, in which a doctor administers a lethal dose of drugs to a patient with an incurable disease, is still illegal. Assisted suicide is also banned.
However, in 2016, a law was enacted to allow doctors to administer powerful and sustained sedatives to terminally ill patients suffering from it.
According to a survey of 1,000 French people conducted by the French weekly magazine ‘Journal du Dimanche’ on the 2nd, 70% were in favor of active euthanasia. However, when asked if they would choose euthanasia if they were terminally ill, only 36% answered yes.
Meanwhile, the number of countries allowing euthanasia is increasing, especially in Europe. In 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize both active euthanasia and assisted suicide. Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain followed suit.
Some countries allow euthanasia on a limited basis. Switzerland has banned euthanasia, but has allowed assisted suicide for decades. In the Netherlands and Belgium, euthanasia of children is permitted with parental consent.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.