Doc. 9170
4 July 2001

Euthanasia

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Monfils and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Where terminally-ill patients suffer constant, unbearable pain without hope of any improvement in their condition, some doctors are willing to conduct euthanasia: that is to terminate the life of patient on his or her request.

2.       These practices are a fact of medical life in several Council of Europe member states and are illegal in most of them, although tolerated in some under specified conditions. However, recent legislation in the Netherlands will allow doctors who accede to a patient’s request for euthanasia to escape prosecution, again under specified conditions. Such legislation is under preparation in Belgium. One of the main reasons for introducing specific legislation is to bring such practices out of the grey area of uncertainty by establishing clear criteria and procedures which doctors and nursing staff have to observe in their decision-making.

3.       The Assembly considers that the trend initiated by the new legislation in the Netherlands challenges the member states of the Council of Europe to examine the important social issue of euthanasia in the light of those spiritual and moral values which they reaffirm in the organisation’s Statute.

4.       Accordingly, the Assembly resolves to debate the subject with a view to the adoption of a recommendation to the Committee of Ministers, asking them to develop a recommendation to the governments of the member states or a convention clearly establishing the criteria according to which doctors who perform such medical acts and the staff who assist them should be immune from prosecution.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Monfils, Belgium, LDR

Alis Font, Andorra, SOC

Berzinš, Latvia, NR

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Cerrahoğlu, Turkey, EDG

Flynn, United Kingdom, SOC

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Luhtanen, Finland, SOC

Mitterrand, France, SOC

Provera, Italy, LDR

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group