On February 14, 2024, the Republican Guards carried the coffin of former Minister of Justice Robert Badinter during a national tribute ceremony in his honor in front of the Ministry of Justice on Place Vendôme in Paris. As the special commission begins its work to prepare for the first reading in the National Assembly on May 27, of the draft law on the support for the sick and end of life, philosopher Elisabeth Badinter stated in a letter published on April 21 in La Tribune that her late husband, former Minister of Justice Robert Badinter, would have supported the law. In the letter addressed to Olivier Falorni, the deputy of Charente-Maritime, who was appointed as the general rapporteur, Mrs. Badinter contradicted the arguments of the opponents of the law who cited a statement made by her husband in 2008 regarding end-of-life issues.
She emphasized that her husband’s words were being misused by opponents of the law and clarified that he never equated assisted dying with the death penalty. She indicated that if Robert Badinter had been a parliamentarian, he would have supported the law and that claiming otherwise would be a betrayal of his thoughts and memory. The letter also highlighted the belief that Robert Badinter evolved his views over time, especially on such complex and sensitive issues as end-of-life care.
The proposed law allows for assisted suicide under strict conditions for certain terminally ill patients, with the possibility for medical professionals to assist those who are unable to do so themselves. The term “assisted dying” is preferred over “assisted suicide” or “euthanasia,” and the practical implementation of the law is expected to spark intense debates in parliament. The law specifies that only adult patients who are born in France or have been long-term residents in the country and who can clearly express their wishes will be eligible for assisted dying. Patients with psychiatric disorders are excluded from the law, and the individual must be experiencing intolerable and untreatable physical or psychological suffering with a short to medium-term prognosis.
The responsibility of healthcare professionals will be crucial in the implementation of the law. Once a patient requests assisted suicide, a doctor will have up to fifteen days to make a decision, even though consultations with other medical staff will be required. This decision will be made by the doctor alone, contrary to previous statements by President Emmanuel Macron. The law aims to provide a legal framework for assisted dying, ensuring that the process is carried out in a humane and ethical manner while respecting the individual’s autonomy and right to a dignified end of life. The proposed law seeks to address the complex moral and ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care and provide clarity on the rights and responsibilities of healthcare professionals and patients.
