Since December 2022, 184 French people have been drawn from among the adult population to form the “Citizen’s Convention on the end of life”. This initiative was set up at the request of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, with the aim of enabling citizens to take charge of the controversial debate on the end of life. In France, active euthanasia is illegal and considered a homicide. However, French law allows the practice of deep and continuous sedation until death for terminally ill patients, which can lead to their natural death. The practice of assisted suicide, in which a doctor provides means for a person to end their life, is also illegal in France.
The question of euthanasia and assisted suicide is regularly debated in the country. Proponents of euthanasia argue that people at the end of life should have the right to decide about their own death, especially if they suffer intolerable physical or psychological pain. They believe that the right to die with dignity should be considered a fundamental right. On the other hand, opponents of euthanasia argue that it can lead to a slippery slope where the most vulnerable people in society are pushed into ending their lives. They also fear that doctors could be forced to perform euthanasia, which would violate their professional ethics.
It is important to note that in some countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal. However, these countries have strict procedures in place to ensure that patients choosing this option do so knowingly and are not influenced by external pressures.
Although the study of these practices was one of the points raised by Emmanuel Macron during his presidential campaign in 2022, the question of their legalization in France remains highly controversial. Although some French people want to see euthanasia and assisted suicide become legal, others have significant ethical, legal and medical concerns that need to be addressed.
A Citizens’ Convention has been in place since December 2022 by Élisabeth Borne to study the issue of end of life. On the subject of euthanasia and assisted suicide, the Citizens’ Convention issued its opinion on April 2, 2023 and came out in favor of the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. From now on, the last word goes to Emmanuel Macron. On Monday, April 3, the Head of State asked for a bill by the summer of 2023. Under the impetus of the Citizens’ Convention, the question of euthanasia and assisted suicide will be debated in Parliament.
