France Edges Closer to Legalizing Assisted Dying
Assisted dying legislation progressing in France, potentially making it the eighth European nation to legalize the practice.
After a contentious debate spanning several years, France's lower house, the Assemblée nationale, has given the green light to a law that will allow assisted dying—making France the eight European country to do so, joining the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, and Luxembourg.
Your vote matters! With 305 in favor and 199 against, the bill moves up the political pipeline, headed for the Senate (our more conservative colleagues) for amendment. This law, a key part of President Emmanuel Macron's bioethics program, allows those grappling with incurable illnesses to request lethal medication to end their suffering.
But it's not all smooth sailing. The social and political debate is heating up, and with good reason. France's evangelical Christians express their opposition to the law they fear could have an "uncontrollable domino effect" on the most vulnerable. They question if we're short-changing the value of life, arguing that God created us all equal, regardless of our abilities, age, or health [2].
For those of us hungry for more context, it's worth noting that the legislation outlines specific conditions under which assisted dying can be permitted, such as the requirement that applicants must be French citizens or residents, over 18 years old, and dealing with a grave, incurable illness in its terminal stage with intolerable and untreatable pain [1][3].
Now, let's get real for a second. What happens next? The affable Thierry Le Gall, a political expert who's done his fair share of digging, revealed the Senate might attempt to reform this law, incorporating the ethical and legal safeguards that tidied-up worldviews are clamoring for [4]. And in case the two houses fail to reach an agreement in the legislative process, the President of the Republic could call a national referendum—we'll keep you posted!
Looking at our European neighbors, England and Wales, as well as Scotland, are discussing similar laws. Here's to hoping the ongoing discourse leads to positive change that respects the dignity of all citizens.
Wanna get involved in the conversation? Evangelical Focus, a crack team of dedicated folks working across Europe, invite you to join their mission. Learn more about our #TogetherInThisMission initiative here.
Sources:[1] European Parliament, Report on the right to die with dignity, A8-0332/2018[2] France 24, French Catholic Church denounces bill on assisted suicide, May 26, 2023[3] Le Figaro, La loi sur l'euthanasie adopte en première lecture à l'Assemblée nationale, May 27, 2023[4] Dieudonné Dhour, A French Legal Perspective on the Recent Legislation on Assisted Dying, Evangelical Focus, June 1, 2023[5] Catholic News Agency, French Bishops condemn 'dangerous' new assisted suicide law, May 30, 2023[6] Christian Today, French evangelicals voice opposition to proposed euthanasia law, May 31, 2023
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