France legalises assisted dying for adults with ‘incurable illness’ | World | News

France announced last night it is to legalise assisted dying for adults suffering from an “incurable illness”.

French president Emmanuel Macron said that adults with an “incurable illness” will be able to ask for help to die “under strict conditions”.

Speaking to French publications Liberation and La Croix, the head of state said a lethal substance can be prescribed to a patient if they request it under specific conditions.

They can either administer it themselves or take it with the help of another person if needed, if they are “not in control”.

The substance can be requested if the adult is able to ask for it and if their suffering is not able to be relieved. Minors and patients suffering psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, will not be eligible.

Mr Macron went on to say that the bill will be presented in April with a first reading in the National Assembly taking place in May.

Campaigners have now called for UK to step up urgency to get a bill debated here.