The participants in the citizens’ convention on the end of life spoke out on Sunday, February 19, mainly in favor of a change in the law for a “active assistance in dying”in a vote at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).
After nearly three months of debate, 84% of them felt that the “End of life support framework” did not answer “to the different situations encountered”in a multi-stage vote on “the guidelines for responding to the Prime Minister’s question”.
At the question : “Should access to active assistance in dying be open? »75% voted « oui »19% voted « non », according to the results of the ballot broadcast live from the ESEC, where the citizens’ convention is meeting at the call of the government. Regarding the terms of access to this aid in dying, 72% were in favor of assisted suicide, 66% in favor of euthanasia.
“Giving Hope”
The 184 participants, drawn by lot, therefore unsurprisingly voted in favor of a change in the current legislation, which Emmanuel Macron is considering. At the beginning of January, a first informal and unforeseen vote had shown a movement in this direction. Since 2016, the so-called Claeys-Leonetti law allows a “deep and continuous sedation” for some patients until their death, without making it possible to actively cause their death or to give them the means to do so.
“A turning point has been taken, it marks the end of the deliberation phase. There is still work and debates »declared following the vote Claire Thoury, president of the governance committee of the convention, which has until the end of March to submit a detailed report. “We can be collectively proud of what has just happened. Congratulations to all of you for restoring hope in this democratic context that is sometimes a little worrying.she continued before the assembly of citizens, promising that minority positions would be taken into account.
