European Court of Human Rights orders France to dehydrate Vincent Lambert to death.

Alex Schadenberg

By Alex Schadenberg
International Chair - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The European court of Human Rights ordered France to withdraw fluids from Vincent Lambert, a 38 year-old man with cognitive disabilities.

The case came about when Lambert's wife wanted her husband to have his fluids withdrawn to cause his death while his parents wanted to continue caring for him.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that Lambert's wife stated after the Strasbourg court decision that withdrawing fluids will fulfill her husbands wishes while Lambert's mother, Viviane stated:

“It’s scandalous. They are condemning my son. We will remain by Vincent’s side and will continue to fight,"

Vincent Lambert's mother

This decision should concern people who believe in the equality of every human being. Lambert was not dying, but has a cognitive disability. This decision means that people with cognitive disabilities, who are incapable of speaking for themselves, may be intentionally dehydrated to death.

The decision of the European court of Human Rights is considered a precedent case in all of the 47 European states.