France approves historic law on assisted dying

The legislation will, under strict conditions, allow a person requesting the procedure to receive a lethal substance. The substance can be self-administered or, if the person is physically unable to do so, administered by a doctor or nurse.

Access to assisted death will be restricted to adults who are French citizens or legal residents of France, who suffer from a serious and incurable, life-threatening illness in an advanced or terminal stage, who face constant physical or psychological suffering linked to this condition, and who are capable of expressing a free and informed choice.

The approval does not mark the end of the legislative and judicial process, as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has asked France's Constitutional Council to examine the legislation once approved.

SENSITIVE DEBATE

Opinion polls have consistently shown broad public support for the legalization of assisted dying in France. An Ifop survey published in February found that 84% of respondents approved the project.

Advocates say the legislation will give people facing unbearable suffering at the end of life greater autonomy and control over how they die while maintaining strict safeguards.

"Can you still call it life when the suffering is so great that you can no longer do anything?" said Anne Raynaud, representative of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD, for its French acronym).

"People will be able to decide for themselves when and how they want to die, once their suffering becomes unbearable and can no longer be alleviated."

Opponents, including sectors of the medical profession and religious groups, argued that legalizing assisted death could put pressure on vulnerable people. The Catholic Church is among those opposing the legislation, with one bishop even threatening to deny communion to parliamentarians who supported the bill.

"A society founded on fraternity supports, protects and cares for people. It never gives up on the most fragile among us," said former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, conservative presidential candidate, in a publication on X.

Assisted death is already permitted in several European countries, including Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, under different legal frameworks. Several states in the United States also allow medically assisted death for terminally ill patients.

The French Senate, where the conservative right has a majority, voted against the project, but the Lower Chamber has the final say - although the law can still be reviewed by the Constitutional Council and subject to changes.

The project establishes a detailed procedure. Patients must submit an application to a physician, who evaluates eligibility in conjunction with at least one other physician and one other healthcare professional.

If the request is approved, patients must confirm it after a minimum cooling-off period of two days.

Healthcare professionals may refuse to participate in the procedure, but must provide the patient with the names of professionals willing to help them end their lives.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE

In euthanasia, death is carried out by a medical team, which administers medications for the procedure.

In assisted suicide, the patient receives professional guidance to end their own life, but it is they who administer the lethal substance to themselves.

In Brazil, both procedures are prohibited because the Penal Code provides punishment for anyone who induces, instigates or assists another person to commit suicide.