France: Vincent Lambert to die by dehydration (euthanasia).

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Vincent & Viviane Lambert

On April 12, Figero news reported that Viviane Lambert announced that she was told on April 9, that her son Vincent Lambert, would have his fluids and food withdrawn and die a slow and agonizing death by dehydration, also known as euthanasia by dehydration.

Vincent Lambert was cognitively disabled in a motorcycle accident injury in 2008. His wife unsuccessfully petitioned the court to have all treatment and care ceased including food and water in 2015. His parents urged that their son be transferred to a rehabilitation center.

In the Figero news report Viviane Lambert stated (google translated):

My son was sentenced to death. His name is Vincent Lambert, he is the father of a little girl, he lives, and has committed no crime. And yet, this Monday, April 9, 2018, in France, a doctor told me that in ten days my son would begin the slow and long agony of dying of hunger and thirst. 

...Mr. President: my son did not deserve to be hungry and dehydrated. Who would dare, in this respect, to speak of "dying with dignity"? Why impose this sentence?

To intentionally kill a person by withdrawing fluids, when the person is not otherwise dying is euthanasia by dehydration since the person is directly and intentionally killed by dehydration.

• Link to previous articles about the Vincent Lambert case.
• We remember Terri Schiavo.