NO RIGHT TO DIE
How he was after the accident .
What he and his mother wanted.
how he died
The effects.
The effects

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Vincent Humbert’s death has prompted the National Assembly to set up a Parliamentary Commission to investigate issues relating to the ‘end of life’ and formulate proposals for addressing these issues. The Commission’s remit is not yet clear. However, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is known to be strongly opposed to a change in the law and it is expected that the Commission will focus on the issue of ‘passive euthanasia’, and the circumstances in which doctors who practice passive euthanasia should be free from prosecution, rather than (voluntary) active euthanasia. Nonetheless, ADMD hope the investigation will result in some progress on the broader issue of assisted dying.

It is unlikely that a timetable for the Commission’s work and the names of deputies who will sit on the Commission will be announced before next week. It is expected that the deputies will be drawn from each of the political groups represented in the Assembly. The Commission will prepare a report for the Government, which the Prime Minister may (or may not) decide to use to write a new law.

In the National Assembly, both the governing center-right and opposition Socialists supported the move to create a Parliamentary Commission. Whilst Raffarin and his government have resisted calls for a change to the existing law, Vincent’s death has prompted several Members of Parliament, including Ministers, to call for the debate on assisted dying to be opened. Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon told Europe 1 Radio: "As a member of the government I can't advocate breaking the law, but we have to open a debate to modify our laws to take account of situations like this." Former health minister Bernard Kouchner said it was time France caught up with countries that have legalized assisted dying. The circumstances of Vincent’s death have also caused Chirac to modify his position and speak in favour of a debate on this issue.

Since the death of Vincent Humbert, several thousand people have become new members of ADMD. The Journal François and Radio Monte Carlo have also organised a petition, which ADMD will give to the Prime Minister shortly.

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