The French President, Emmanuel Macronlaunched this Tuesday a debate organized with a view to a legislative reform that could authorize Euthanasiawhich is now prohibited, as well as the assisted suicide.
(Read here: ‘We still have a hard time thinking that death is part of life’)
In a statement, the Elysee indicated that to direct this debate in October, a “citizens’ convention” will be created that will present its conclusions in March 2023 on the basis of the work and consultation that will take place in parallel.
(See also: Physician-assisted suicide: the challenges after decriminalization)
“In particular – added the presidency – with professionals regularly confronted at the end of life” such as palliative care health workers, but also with deputies and senators.
The announcement by Macron, who had promised during his re-election campaign last April an evolution of the regulations on this issue and who had personally spoken in favor of a euthanasia lawa, came the same day that an opinion from the National Ethics Advisory Committee (CCNE) was made known.
This independent official body of a technical nature gave its approval to authorize “active help to die with certain strict conditions with which it seems unacceptable to compromise.”
The necessary time will be taken and all the guarantees must be given to ensure the conditions for an orderly, serene and informed debate.
For the Elysee, the CCNE opinion “constitutes a solid basis for a collective reflection on this sensitive issue” that should focus on “searching for a balance between the duty of solidarity with fragile people and respect for the autonomy of the person”.
“The necessary time will be taken and all the guarantees must be given to ensure the conditions for an orderly, serene and informed debate,” he stressed.
The current law of 2016 regulates the treatment of incurably sick for which it prohibits both the euthanasia As the assisted suicidealthough it allows applying “deep and continuous sedation until death” for patients who are in great suffering and who are considered terminal in the short term.
EFE
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