French End-of-Life Legislation Under Review as Euthanasia Discussions Intensify
Jonathan Denis, President of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, discusses the upcoming legislative proposals on end-of-life care.
Jonathan Denis, aged 41, serves as the President of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD) in France.
Recently relocated to Nice, he addressed the current status and future of the proposed end-of-life legislation, which is scheduled for discussion in the National Assembly in May 2025.
The legislative journey includes two separate bills; initially, there was one proposal that has now been divided into distinct texts, one focusing on palliative care and the other on active assistance in dying.
According to Denis, the discussion on both texts is set to commence on May 12, with votes anticipated by May 27, followed by deliberation in the Senate.
The aim is to implement the new laws within a year to a year and a half, although the dissolution of the parliament has resulted in a year’s delay.
Denis highlighted that the split in legislation was initiated at the request of Prime Minister François Bayrou.
The opposing parties argued against merging the two issues, asserting they should not be regarded as a continuum.
Denis noted the potential for parliamentary obstruction, particularly concerning the time allocated for debate on palliative care, which could hinder discussions on the proposed assistance in dying.
He emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive approach that ensures universal access to palliative care while also providing the option for assisted dying as a last resort.
Denis's commitment to this cause was sparked by two significant events: first, the case of Vincent Humbert, a severely disabled man who sought the right to die after a tragic accident and whose pleas went unanswered by the government; and second, his personal experience with his father, who opted for an assisted death due to terminal cancer with the clandestine help of a physician.
Denis expressed concern over the prevalence of illegal euthanasias in France, estimating that approximately 0.8% of deaths can be associated with lethal injections performed by physicians, equating to nearly 4,000 clandestine acts annually.
Public opinion surveys consistently indicate that a considerable majority of French citizens—between 80% and 90%—believe current laws regarding assisted dying are inadequate.
As a result, there seems to be a momentum for change despite the complex legislative landscape.
Denis recently took over the ADMD delegation for the Alpes-Maritimes region, encompassing around 2,000 members along with a small affiliate in Monaco, having moved to Nice in December 2024. He expressed enthusiasm for his new community and plans to immerse himself in the local culture while advocating for end-of-life rights.
Recently relocated to Nice, he addressed the current status and future of the proposed end-of-life legislation, which is scheduled for discussion in the National Assembly in May 2025.
The legislative journey includes two separate bills; initially, there was one proposal that has now been divided into distinct texts, one focusing on palliative care and the other on active assistance in dying.
According to Denis, the discussion on both texts is set to commence on May 12, with votes anticipated by May 27, followed by deliberation in the Senate.
The aim is to implement the new laws within a year to a year and a half, although the dissolution of the parliament has resulted in a year’s delay.
Denis highlighted that the split in legislation was initiated at the request of Prime Minister François Bayrou.
The opposing parties argued against merging the two issues, asserting they should not be regarded as a continuum.
Denis noted the potential for parliamentary obstruction, particularly concerning the time allocated for debate on palliative care, which could hinder discussions on the proposed assistance in dying.
He emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive approach that ensures universal access to palliative care while also providing the option for assisted dying as a last resort.
Denis's commitment to this cause was sparked by two significant events: first, the case of Vincent Humbert, a severely disabled man who sought the right to die after a tragic accident and whose pleas went unanswered by the government; and second, his personal experience with his father, who opted for an assisted death due to terminal cancer with the clandestine help of a physician.
Denis expressed concern over the prevalence of illegal euthanasias in France, estimating that approximately 0.8% of deaths can be associated with lethal injections performed by physicians, equating to nearly 4,000 clandestine acts annually.
Public opinion surveys consistently indicate that a considerable majority of French citizens—between 80% and 90%—believe current laws regarding assisted dying are inadequate.
As a result, there seems to be a momentum for change despite the complex legislative landscape.
Denis recently took over the ADMD delegation for the Alpes-Maritimes region, encompassing around 2,000 members along with a small affiliate in Monaco, having moved to Nice in December 2024. He expressed enthusiasm for his new community and plans to immerse himself in the local culture while advocating for end-of-life rights.
