France has finally legalised assisted dying after receiving the nod from the Constitutional Council last week. The law will allow adults suffering from an incurable disease to end their lives by self-administering a lethal substance.
The legislation was published in the Official Journal on Wednesday after years of debate on death with dignity. The legislation, which was promised by French President Emmanuel Macron in his 2022 re-election campaign, was passed by the French parliament in July.
For Macron’s office, the law “completes an exemplary democratic debate” and “provides an essential safeguard for our fellow citizens.”
As per the legislation, a patient will be allowed assisted dying only after a doctor verifies their eligibility and a panel checks that the criteria have been met. To be eligible, the patient must be a French national or a long-term resident and of legal age. They must be suffering from a disease that is incurable and is causing unbearable pain, reported Le Monde.
After getting the approval, the patient has to wait for at least two days before the procedure can be carried out. Patients have the right to withdraw their consent at any time during the procedure.
The law allows patients to administer a lethal substance themselves, unless they are physically unable to do so, in which case a medical professional assists them.
While upholding all parts of the assisted dying law last week, the Constitutional Council also called for clarification on certain provisions. These include the so-called “conscience clause”, in which medical professionals can refuse to be part of the procedure, accordion to The Guardian.
The council said the clause also applies to faith-based healthcare facilities where assisted dying is “manifestly contrary” to their mission, unless they are the only facilities able to meet “local needs”.
The council also stressed that doctors must also consult the legal guardians of the patient when processing an assisted dying request.
With the new law, France will now join Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium, where the practice is already legal.
