French ethics body paves way for national debate on legalising euthanasia

While Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland already authorise controlled euthanasia, in France it’s been harder to reach a political consensus on the issue. AFP - PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA

France is a step closer to legalising euthanasia after a national ethics committee on Tuesday said it was in favour of assisted suicide under strict, supervised conditions.

The eagerly awaited report by the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) comes ahead of a citizens' convention in October that has been set up to examine the issue – a priority for President Emmanuel Macron’s second term in office.