France could soon join the list of countries where assisted suicide or euthanasia is legal. President Emmanuel Macron's government called for a law on April 3 on the 'French model on the end of life' within months.
The NHS defines euthanasia as the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. It can be both voluntary and non-voluntary.
Assisted suicide is not exactly euthanasia but the other form of assisted dying. It is sometimes referred to as physician-assisted suicide (PAS), which means a doctor knowingly helping someone to end their life.
France is not the only country to consider this step, there are many countries around the world where euthanasia is legalised. Take a look here:
Belgium lifted restrictions on euthanasia in 2002 for patients facing constant, unbearable and untreatable physical or psychological suffering.
The Netherlands became legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in April 2002. According to it the patient must be suffering unbearable pain, their illness must be incurable, and the demand must be made in “full consciousness” by the patient.
In Luxembourg, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been regulated by law since 2009. A physician has to fulfil strict conditions; eg there should be consent from two physicians and an expert group.
Euthanasia in Spain has been legal since June 25, 2021, when the Organic Law for the Regulation of Euthanasia came into force. Said law decriminalizes medical aid to die and specifies who, when and with what requirements it may be provided.