The president of the association "My will, my path," Jean-Jacques Schonckert, regrets that death remains a taboo subject in society.
14 years ago, Luxembourg gave its citizens the right to request euthanasia under certain conditions. In practice, however, the procedure remains rare. There were 104 cases of euthanasia registered until 2020, AND more than 20 in both 2021 and 2022.
According to Jean-Jacques Schonckert, the president of the association Mäi Wëllen, mäi Wee ("My will, my path"), many patients, as well as doctors and nurses, still don't know that euthanasia is legal in Luxembourg.
In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Tuesday morning, Schonckert regretted that death remains a taboo subject. Back in 2008/2009, the draft bill on euthanasia caused a major controversy in the Grand Duchy. It was a historic piece of legislation that made Luxembourg the third country in the world to legalise euthanasia. Nowadays, however, the situation on the ground is "far more nuanced," Schonckert explained.
Because the process is subject to certain conditions, not everyone who wishes to die on their own terms is granted access to euthanasia. Patients must be adults in a serious, incurable, and hopeless medical situation caused by an illness or accident.
The Advance Directive Section deals with palliative care, while an anticipated request for euthanasia can be formulated through an End-of-Life Provision. The latter must be recorded in writing and sent to the National Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Schonckert also strongly recommends that people inform their relatives about their wishes. It is also worth noting that even after a decision has been recorded, it can be changed at any time in the future. The president of "My will, my path" would also like to see the establishment of an "End-of-Life House" in Luxembourg where people could go to die in dignity.
More information on euthanasia and end-of-life procedures is available on the association's website.
