The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) has welcomed a ruling on Aug. 14 by the French Constitutional Council to protect the rights of faith-based institutions to opt out of assisting patients to die.
The ECLJ previously warned about France’s proposed "aid in dying" legislation, arguing that the bill introduces a "radical" euthanasia framework with minimal oversight that threatens human dignity and vulnerable populations.
The council ruled on the recently passed euthanasia law, ensuring that faith-based institutions like Catholic nursing homes and hospitals, can opt out of providing euthanasia by including a life-affirming ethical charter in their statutes. The ruling also grants pharmacists a conscience clause allowing them to refuse participation.
In an email to supporters, ECLJ Director Grégor Puppinck confirmed that euthanasia will remain prohibited in all private institutions that choose to opt out.
"These institutions need only declare their respect for life in their statutes or through an ethical charter," Puppinck wrote. "This is their right, as finally recognized and guaranteed by the Constitutional Council on Aug. 14, 2026. Similarly, all pharmacists are now granted a conscience clause, which had previously been denied to them by [French President Emmanuel] Macron’s majority."
Puppinck hailed the decision as "a great victory" within "the grim context surrounding the adoption of this unjust law,” and publicly gave thanks to God for the outcome.
"There will continue to be sanctuaries in France where vulnerable people will not be in mortal danger," he said.
However, Puppinck lamented that the council upheld all other provisions of the law, including a short 48-hour window to confirm a person’s wish to die, the absence of family notification, a lack of legal remedies, and the provision of euthanasia for individuals under legal guardianship.
"The serious risks of abuse created by this law - which we denounced in our statement to the Council - have therefore not been addressed," he added.
A motion to recuse Jacques Mézard, a council member and vocal euthanasia advocate, was also rejected.
"He therefore participated in the decision," Puppinck said. "This decision could therefore be challenged on grounds of bias before the European Court of Human Rights. We will continue the fight."
Looking ahead, the ECLJ director expressed determination to expand legal efforts beyond France.
"We will now continue this fight in other countries that have already legalized euthanasia, in order to guarantee the freedom of faith-based institutions there as well," Puppinck wrote.
"In France, we are preparing to challenge the implementing decrees that will be adopted by the government in the coming months. Sadly, we are also preparing to counsel families who will be faced with a decision regarding the euthanasia of a loved one."
