France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday adopted a bill that will allow adults suffering from incurable illnesses to voluntarily end their life by taking a lethal substance prescribed by medical practitioners.A 2023 report indicated that a majority of French citizens support legalising end-of-life options.
Frances lower house of parliament has adopted a bill toallow adults with incurable illnessto take lethal medication.
As public demands grow across Europe for legal end-of-life options, the National Assembly vote on Tuesday is a key legislative step on the long-debated issue.
The bill was approved by 305 votes in favor and 199 against. It will be sent to the Senate for further debate. A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid Frances long and complex process. The National Assembly has the final say over the Senate.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed France's the vote as an 'important step'
In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients dignity was also adopted Tuesday.
Read moreFrench parliament to vote on assisted suicide: Patients share their stories
Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request.
To benefit from the newly proposed measure, patients will need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live inFrance.
A team of medical professionals will need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness at an advanced or terminal stage, is suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain, and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will.
Patients with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease wont be eligible.
The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection.
If approved, a doctor would then deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility.
Read moreAssisted dying in France: The ultimate freedom?
A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalising end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years. Initial discussions in parliament last year were abruptly interrupted by Macrons decision to dissolve the National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis.
Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask for French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track.
Many French people have traveled to neighbouring countries where medically assistedsuicideoreuthanasiaare legal.
The Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD) has called on French lawmakers to respect the French who want the same right that our Dutch, Belgian, Luxembourgian, Swiss, Spanish, Portuguese neighbours have.
French religious leaders issued this month a joint statement to denounce the bill, warning about the dangers of an anthropological rupture. The Conference of Religious Leaders in France (CRCF), which represents the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities, said the proposed measures risk exerting pressure on older people and those with illnesses or disabilities.
Assisted suicide is allowed inSwitzerlandand several US states. Euthanasia is currently legal in theNetherlands,Spain,Portugal, Canada,Australia,Colombia,BelgiumandLuxembourgunder certain conditions.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Originally published on France24
