A citizens’ conference in France made up of representatives drawn from civil society on Monday pronounced itself in favour of assisted suicide.
Assisted suicide is illegal in France although it has been practised by doctors who say they were carrying out their duty when occasionally putting terminally ill patients out of their misery. Several outspoken French doctors have said the present law gives rise to medical obduracy that prolongs life for the sake of it, causing great pain and suffering to patients .
Belgium, Denmark, Holland and several other European countries allow assisted suicide. Mr. Hollande had made a campaign promise to examine the issue and the citizens’ conference said the law should be changed to allow terminally-ill patients to die with dignity. The conference did not pronounce itself on euthanasia, considering the subject far too complex. Instead it suggested increased palliative care and the possibility of terminal sedation.
