The Secretary-General (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, present its compliment to the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations, and wishes to refer to the below request of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Request pursuant to article 36, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 36 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which allows the Committee to request further information from States Parties relevant to the implementation of the Convention, the Committee respectfully request information about:

1. The measures adopted to ensure that the proposed legislation on assistance to dying (Proposition de loi n° 1100 / 1364-A0 (27 mai 2025) Droit à l’aide à mourir) is compliant with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in particular:

• That the proposed eligibility criteria, including “Having a serious and incurable condition” and “Experiencing physical or psychological suffering linked to the condition that is either treatment-resistant or unbearable”, are consistent with the Convention, as they appear to be based in ableist perceptions of the quality and value of the life of persons with disabilities, including the view that “suffering” is intrinsic to disability, without recognition that inequality and discrimination cause and compound “suffering” for persons with disabilities.

• That the proposed legislation guaranrees the right to choice of persons with disabilities, by ensuring that alternatives to assistance to dying are available such as formal and informal support to persons with disabilities, which respect their autonomy, will and preferences.

• That the proposed text ensures that consent is given not by third parties, guardians or family members, but by persons wit disabilities themselves and they will be protected against coercion, undue influence, and abuse of power.

• That information provided to persons with disabilities is accessible and alternatives means and modes of communication are available upon request.

• Rationale which would justify that “Anyone attempting to dissuade a person from seeking euthanasia or assisted suicide risks two years in prison and a €30,000 fine”.

• Rational which would justify that “Just two days after requesting assisted suicide or euthanasia, a person may be legally killed”.

• Measures adopted to ensure that persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are closely consulted and actively involved in the drafting process of this proposed legislation.
• Measures to ensure that authorities of the State Party refrain from asserting in public media and social media that the Committee supports the legalization of euthanasia.

Previous recommendations

               In September 2021, the Committee considered the initial report of France and adopted Concluding Observations (CPRD/C/FRA/CO/1).

In paragraph 21 of these Concluding Observations, the Committee noted with concern the high suicide rate among autistic persons and persons with psychosocial disabilities. The Committee recommended that the State party “Strengthen measures to implement a national suicide prevention strategy for persons with disabilities, with specific measures to target autistic persons and persons with psychosocial disabilities, and to ensure close consultation and active involvement of persons with disabilities through their representative organizations”.

In paragraph 40 of these Concluding Observations, the Committee noted with concern “the lack of arrangements for living independently and in the community, including the lack of independent accessible and affordable housing, individualized support, and equal access to services in the community”.

Information available regarding the proposed Bill

The Committee has received credible information indicating that if the above-mentioned piece of legislation is approved, it would result in an infringement of the duty of the State party to respect, protect and guarantee the right to life of persons with disabilities.

The information available to the Committee also indicates that the proposed piece of legislation, if approved, would create a false dichotomy regarding  the concept of “choice”  setting up the premise that if persons with disabilities are suffering, it is valid for the State Party to enable their death without providing safeguards that guarantee the provision of support, and on the basis of ableist assumptions that de-emphasize the myriad of support options that could allow persons with disabilities to live dignified lives, and about the failure of the State Party to ensure arrangements for living independently and in the community, including the lack of independent accessible and affordable housing, individualized support, and equal access to services in the community.

Timeframe and further steps.

The Committee would appreciate receiving information to the above-referred questions by 11 August 2025, in Word format. The Committee will examine the responses and all credible information during its thirty-third session, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 11 to 29 August 2025.

            For any additional information, please kindly contact the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Jorge Araya, at jorge.araya@un.org

            The Secretary-General (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) reiterates to the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Office at Geneva, the assurances of his highest consideration.