The European Court of Human Rights ruled on whether doctors can override a patient’s advance directive to keep them alive after permanent unconsciousness.
Case Background
The European Court of Human Rights heard the case of Medmoune vs France (application no. 55026/22), addressing a complex legal and emotional dilemma regarding end-of-life medical decisions.
Legal Question at Hand
The court had to determine whether medical professionals can deviate from maintaining the life of a patient who, in advance directives, explicitly requested to be kept alive even after permanent loss of consciousness.
Advance Directives Explained
Advance directives are legal documents where patients specify their medical preferences in case they lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves, such as during permanent unconsciousness.
Court’s Considerations
The European Court of Human Rights faced a challenging question that balanced patients’ previously expressed wishes against medical assessments of their best interests and quality of life.
