Health minister Étienne Schneider says the amendment to the law will “clarify the consequences” of deaths by assisted suicide or euthanasia Shutterstock

 Health minister Étienne Schneider says the amendment to the law will “clarify the consequences” of deaths by assisted suicide or euthanasia Shutterstock

Ten years after the coming into force the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide will now include legislation that defines the death of a person who has died as a result of euthanasia or assisted suicide with death by natural causes. Health minister Étienne Schneider, who submitted the amendment proposal said that the new bill will “clarify the consequences” of deaths by assisted suicide or euthanasia “particularly with regard to the circumstances of death, and the context of any life insurance that the deceased may have taken out.”

Since the law entered into force some 72 people have died by euthanasia, with no more than 11 deaths (in 2017) in any given year. The law requires that the patient be in a hopeless medical situation and report constant and unbearable physical or psychological suffering resulting from an accidental or pathological condition. Medical testimony must state that they have no prospect of improvement before they can be considered for euthanasia.