The “relieve but not kill” collective, which opposes assisted suicide and euthanasia, brought together a few hundred people across France on Tuesday, while a legislative text is being prepared by the executive.
In Paris, around 200 people dressed in white and blue chasubles formed a human chain in a circle on Place du Trocadéro, AFP noted. “We are mobilizing to defend a society that protects the most vulnerable against the threat of active assistance in dying,” said Alix Durroux, spokesperson for the collective and geriatrician. “Nobody is unworthy to live, nobody is ever too much. »
Human chains
Human chains and gatherings also took place in several French cities such as Lyon (around thirty people), Bordeaux (around forty people) or Marseille (around fifteen people).
“I strongly fear that we are going little by little from a” power to be euthanized “to a” duty to be euthanized “”, declared in Marseille Hubert Tesson, doctor in palliative care in a clinic in the city, saying to himself “convinced that if euthanasia is legalized, there are patients who will feel obliged to request euthanasia”.
“In countries that have already legislated on active assistance in dying, the safeguards do not hold,” said Astrid de Pontbriand, a 50-year-old pharmacist in Bordeaux, for whom “at the beginning it only concerns people in end of life and quickly it is extended to people suffering from psychological illnesses and to minors”.
Bill in sight
In a report validated on Sunday, the Citizens’ Convention on the End of Life answered three-quarters “yes” to “active dying” assistance, which covers the opening of euthanasia and assisted suicide, while matching its positions. significant restrictions. Emmanuel Macron announced a bill by the end of the summer.
The collective “Relieve but not kill” brings together several associations including “100% alive” which brings together sick and disabled people, Soigner dans laigue (an association of medical students and young caregivers) or the Vita Alliance, which also opposes abortion. It is sponsored by Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, whose life inspired the film Untouchablesthe story of the friendship between a quadriplegic and his carer.