A group of 1,682 people have written an opinion piece in the French newspaper Le Figaro, urging lawmakers to exclude individuals with disabilities from a proposed law that would allow assisted dying, or euthanasia. They are concerned about how this law could affect people with intellectual disabilities. They argue that it’s extremely urgent to make sure these individuals are protected.
The first way to approach this issue is by looking at the law itself to see what it really means. However, this is complicated because the law is hard to understand and has confusing parts. It states that a person must be able to express their wish to die freely and with full understanding. But what does “full understanding” really mean? Last year, a proposal to specifically protect people with intellectual disabilities from euthanasia was rejected because some believed it would discriminate against them. This suggests that these individuals could still be euthanized under the law.
Moreover, the law allows for euthanasia for someone under guardianship, which is supposed to protect people who can’t take care of themselves. This shows that the law might open the door for euthanasia for people with intellectual disabilities, ignoring their vulnerabilities and the challenges they face in expressing themselves. Those who care for people with these disabilities know how fragile they can be, and the idea that they could make a “free and informed” choice to die seems very unwise and could lead to tragic outcomes.
The second way to think about this issue is by considering recent events in France related to people with intellectual disabilities. This examination can be uncomfortable but is necessary. For example, in January 2023, a man with Down syndrome died in a hospital, and it seems he was euthanized by doctors against his family’s wishes. Another similar situation was nearly allowed but was stopped by a court, which highlighted the serious risk to the right to life for vulnerable individuals. These cases show that misunderstanding and underestimating people with intellectual disabilities can lead to terrible consequences.
Lawmakers should understand that prohibiting euthanasia is crucial because it protects the most vulnerable in society—those whose lives some might believe are not worth living. The idea of “free and informed consent” is often unrealistic for these individuals due to societal pressures that can make their lives seem burdensome.
The third way to approach this topic is by looking at other countries that have legalized euthanasia. This is simple because many organizations have already studied this. For example, the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has expressed serious concerns about changes in Canada that allow euthanasia for individuals with disabilities based only on their condition. They note that this reflects negative views about the lives of persons with disabilities, suggesting that their suffering is tied to their disability rather than social inequalities and discrimination.
The UN also points out that the systems in place often fail to address the needs of individuals with disabilities, and the use of euthanasia is increasing, particularly among marginalized groups. This shows a troubling trend where euthanasia for disabled individuals is becoming more common and reinforces discrimination against them.
Given these facts, it’s shocking that lawmakers might still ignore the dangers this law poses to vulnerable people. If euthanasia is legalized, it could lead to a gradual broadening of who qualifies for it, increasing pressure on those who are already vulnerable. Therefore, it is crucial to act now to protect these individuals and explicitly exclude them from any assisted dying laws that threaten their lives.
This article has been translated and simplified by artificial intelligence from a French article “« Un gros risque en plus » : exclure les personnes handicapées du dispositif légal de mort administrée est « une urgence absolue »”
It may therefore contain errors. The French version is the reference version..