French court guarantees religious freedom in new law on euthanasia

How does the guaranteed exception for Catholic hospitals work?

The rule states that Catholic-oriented hospitals, nursing homes and hospices cannot be forced to allow assisted deaths on their premises. To exercise this right, the institution must make it clear in its statutes or ethical charter that such procedures are contrary to its mission. The Constitutional Council based this exemption on the right to free association and the autonomy to run a business in accordance with its values. Furthermore, the measure depends on there being other locations in the same region that can serve patients who wish to use the practice.

What specific protection is created for pharmacists?

French pharmacists received individual protection based on the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man. The court understood that forcing these professionals to prepare or deliver lethal substances would deeply harm their personal convictions. In practice, this means that they can refuse to dispense the poison used in assisted suicide without facing legal sanctions. It is an important change, since the original wording of the bill did not provide for any loophole for conscientious objection on the part of these health professionals in the country.

Why is this decision considered a historic victory for religious freedom?

Before this decision, President Emmanuel Macron’s government defended a strict text that could send hospital directors to prison for up to two years if they prevented euthanasia teams from entering. Legal experts point out that this is the first time that the council has accepted an institutional exemption of this type. In previous cases, such as abortion or same-sex marriage, similar requests were denied. The work of groups such as the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation was fundamental in convincing the courts that the State cannot force communities to act against their faith.

What are the next steps after the law is enacted?

Although the law is already in the Official Journal, the government still needs to prepare the decrees that explain how everything will work in practice. Life defense groups have promised total surveillance in this process. One of the biggest current concerns is the lack of specific protections for people with intellectual disabilities, who may be vulnerable in the new system. Furthermore, international organizations intend to take the French example to other European countries, trying to ensure that the right to refuse participation in deaths is respected across the continent.