France’s ‘citizens convention’ set to decide legal status of assisted suicide and euthanasia

French officials have announced that a coalition of 150 citizens will determine the future of euthanasia in the country. The randomly-selected panel will debate whether or not to adopt changes to the “framework accompanying the end-of-life” laws. According to the Associated Press, the panel follows President Emmanuel Macron’s campaign promise to open debate on assisted suicide and euthanasia, made when he was up for reelection earlier this year. 

Though the country currently has a law that prohibits assisted suicide and euthanasia, an ethics committee released a report in September viewing it in a favorable light, thereby making the legalization of the practice a possibility. At the same time, Macron called for a national debate and a loosening of the country’s laws. “I am convinced that we must move because there are inhumane situations that persist and to which we must give answers,” he said.

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RFI reports that the “citizens convention” will consist of a random drawing of participants, “with a mix of genders, age, geography, professions and education levels, without aiming for a perfect representation.”

One poll conducted in 2021 found that 93% of French citizens favor legalized euthanasia.

Upon learning of Macron’s plan, the country’s Catholic bishops put out a statement calling instead for better health services and palliative care, rather than assisted death. 

“For several decades, a balance has gradually been found in our country to avoid therapeutic relentlessness and promote palliative care. This ‘French way’ [says] something about our country’s ethical heritage,” the statement said. “We perceive that the essential need of as many people as possible is to be considered, respected, helped, accompanied, not abandoned. Their suffering must be relieved, but their calls also express their need for relationship and proximity. Isn’t the deepest expectation of all active help to live, rather than active help to die?” 

Not Dead Yet, a U.S.-based disability rights group, also condemned the French decision in a statement to Catholic News Agency (CNA). “Not Dead Yet disagrees with France’s ethics commission that there is a ‘path towards an ethical application of assisted dying,’” John B. Kelly, a spokesman for the organization, told CNA. “Despite the rhetoric of reducing suffering, assisted suicide targets disabled people for early death because of our dependence on others for assistance. Disabled people deserve the same level of suicide prevention services as everyone else.”

The panel is expected to announce its decision in March 2023. If it rules favorably, Macron has announced plans to “then possibly change the legal framework by the end of 2023.”