France’s National Assembly votes in favour of legalising assisted dying

France’s parliament has voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying, paving the way for caregivers to help patients end their lives under what campaigners say would still be some of the strictest conditions in Europe. After a sometimes emotional session, deputies passed the first reading of the bill by a vote of 305 to 199. Others are actively debating the issue, including the UK, where an assisted dying bill is before parliament. Luxembourg also decriminalised active euthanasia and assisted dying in 2009. The Scottish parliament has also passed its first vote on a bill to legalise assisted dying.