Europe Moving Toward Legalization of Euthanasia

European countries are moving towards euthanasia (doctor-assisted death or "mercy killing") legalization. However, the Roman Catholic Church along with secular critics have warned Europe against a "false sense of compassion," citing human rights violations linked to euthanasia.

MOSCOW, December 12 (Sputnik), Ekaterina Blinova — French Parliament has passed the law, easing restrictions on assisted death on Friday, December 12, moving gradually towards euthanasia legalization.

"French legislation introduced Friday to ease restrictions on doctor-assisted death risks further diversifying the range of clashing national laws on euthanasia across Europe," Agence France-Presse reported.

It should be noted that a wide range of European states have already authorized physician assisted suicide, while only Italy, Romania, Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Poland and Ireland strictly prohibit euthanasia. For instance, who breach the law risk to face 14 and 15-year prison terms in Ireland and Italy, respectively.

However, in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg active, direct euthanasia is fully legalized. In the Netherlands. a patient, suffering from an incurable disease, can make a request for lethal doses of special drugs being "fully mentally lucid," according to Agence France-Presse. The state has also authorized a physician-assisted death for children under 12, in accordance with strict conditions.

Belgium lifted its ban on euthanasia in September 2002 and has become the first country to authorize children to receive euthanasia if they are terminally ill and "understands the consequences of the death." Belgium adults can request for euthanasia if they are facing unbearable sufferings, both of physical or psychic nature. They can express their intention to die in a special agreement before falling ill. Such a "living will" remains valid for five years.
Luxembourg legalized its euthanasia procedures in 2009, however, the legislation excludes minors.

Remarkably, in Switzerland a terminally ill person can administer a lethal dose of drugs himself.  "Switzerland does not allow active, direct euthanasia by a third party, but tolerates the provision of substances to relieve suffering even if death is a possible side-effect," Agence France Presse notes, adding that the state also tolerates a passive form of euthanasia – suspending medical assistance that maintains patient's life.

Passive euthanasia is also authorized in France, Sweden, the UK, Austria, Germany, Denmark and Norway. For instance, in France, a doctor is allowed to prescribe painkillers even if their use may result in a patient's death. In 2010, the UK abolished a law punishing close relatives of a terminally ill individual for helping them to die.

In Hungary, Spain, the Czech Republic and Portugal incurably ill patients may reject further treatment; still passive and active euthanasia is still prohibited in Portugal.

It is worth mentioning that the Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes euthanasia, calling it a "sin against God." On November 15, 2014, Pope Francis warned doctors against "false sense of compassion," addressing the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors.

Secular critics of euthanasia in Europe point out that the legalization of physician-assisted suicide gives doctors the power to decide whether a patient should live or die, citing numerous cases when doctors killed terminally ill patients without their request.