MDear President of the Republic, a year ago, on your initiative, the work of the Citizens’ Convention on the End of Life (CCFV) began. In April 2023, when we submit our reportWelcomed by numerous observers, you have made a double commitment to the issue of palliative care and active euthanasia for our country: a draft law, accompanied by a ten-year plan, is to be presented to the Council of Ministers at the end of the summer.

This promise was renewed in July at a meeting between our five representatives and the two ministers responsible for the dossier, Agnès Firmin Le Bodo and Olivier Véran, who specified the content of the bill in three parts: personal rights, development of palliative care and the opening of active Euthanasia.

To date, these commitments have still not been fulfilled. Furthermore, media coverage and political statements this fall suggest as much The bill would move towards a “French end-of-life model” very far from the recommendations of our report.

Respect the promise made to citizens

After the experience of the Citizens’ Convention on Climate, whose proposals were largely rejected, it would be appropriate for the executive to keep its promise to the citizens this time. We are very concerned about the future of our own recommendations and the sustainability of the Citizens’ Convention tool. Speeches about involving citizens in our country’s public life must have an impact.

The regular mobilization of citizens in participatory democratic processes must not remain sterile, otherwise there is a risk that democratic innovations will be exploited for political purposes and the relationship of trust with the population will be further weakened. We fear that the lack of consideration of citizens’ voices will further exacerbate the current democratic crisis.

The members of the CCFV gathered in the separate association Les 184 to reflect the diversity of views expressed during the congress and to convey the impatience and fear of patients and their families. Many people in our country are still waiting for quality palliative care with improved resources that enable dignified and appropriate end-of-life support.

Strong support from the population

For some of them, this also means a guaranteed right to active euthanasia. According to our recommendations, if an incident occurs, medical and social care is required throughout the entire duration and under the supervision of a public service. These demands have been met with strong cross-party support among the population for many years.

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