The Senate has again just rejected the proposed law relating to assisted suicide and euthanasia. As during its first reading, the debates clearly showed that the idea of legalising an administered death represents a serious breakdown and is far from representing a consensus.
Instead of unifying, this project is causing division and raises serious doubts concerning the protection of the most vulnerable.
The main lesson learned from this parliamentary sequence is quite unambiguous: on the subject of the end of life, only palliative care can today claim virtual unanimous support. Humanity, accompaniment, pain relief must remain the foundation stones of our solidarity model.
In such a context, it appears urgent to change course. Rather than persisting with an unjust, useless and potentially dangerous project, the Government would do well to concentrate its efforts on an ambitious and effective development of palliative care. Too many people in France are still deprived of them. Guaranteed true and equitable access to such care nationwide should become a national priority, to match the needs.
At the approach of major election dates, the legalisation of administered death should not constitute the achievement of the 5-year term nor a desirable objective for our society. A true health policy worthy of the name cannot be achieved by considering administered death as a solution to suffering.
Alliance VITA is preparing a new nationwide mobilisation campaign against this disastrous project which would undermine the people already suffering from dependence, old age and disease.