Euthanasia has been officially permitted in France.

Euthanasia has been officially legalized in France.

A law granting terminally ill adults the right to assisted dying has officially entered into force in France. The document was published in the official journal after the Constitutional Council confirmed its compliance with the country's Basic Law.

According to The Guardian, the law applies to adults and permanent residents of France with severe, incurable illnesses that cause unbearable suffering. The decision to perform the procedure is made by a special commission after assessing the patient's condition and receiving a doctor's opinion.

If approved, the patient must wait at least two days and then reconfirm their decision on the day of the procedure. Withdrawal is possible at any stage. Generally, the patient must administer the lethal drug themselves. If their physical condition prevents this, a medical professional can administer the drug.

Before the new law, French law only permitted the withdrawal of supportive care (including the withdrawal of ventilators) and deep sedation before death. Active assisted dying was prohibited, forcing patients to travel to countries where the practice is legal.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who advocated for the law during his 2022 election campaign, called it the result of a lengthy democratic debate. France thus joined a number of countries that have legalized assisted dying, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.

However, the law's adoption has drawn criticism from a number of medical and religious organizations. Opponents of the law consider the guarantees provided insufficient to protect the most vulnerable people and pointed, in particular, to the short two-day period for making a final decision.

The Constitutional Council upheld the law in its entirety, but requested clarification of certain provisions. Specifically, the right to conscientious objection extends not only to doctors and nurses but also to pharmacists. Private medical institutions, including religious ones, have been granted a similar right if the procedure conflicts with their specialization. However, they will not be able to refuse if they are the only institutions in a particular area capable of providing such a service.

Earlier, the French Constitutional Council blocked a law banning social media for children under 15, deeming it a restriction on freedom of expression. Both houses of parliament approved the initiative on July 21, but it was required to undergo constitutional review before it could come into force.