European Court of Human Rights has upheld decision of a court in France to allow a paralysed man to be taken off life support
Vincent Lambert, 39, has been in a coma for seven years after a motorcycle accident left him tetraplegic.
The case was taken to the European court last year after France's highest court had ruled in favour of ending his life support.
It sparked fierce debate in France where euthanasia is illegal, although doctors can withdraw care under a 2005 passive euthanasia law.The court ruled the decision to stop intravenously feeding Lambert did not violate Europe rights laws.
Mr Lambert has been kept alive with the use of intravenous food and water at a hospital in Reims in north-eastern France.
His wife Rachel and some of his brothers and sisters had agreed with doctors' recommendation that his life should be ended as there was no hope of recovery. Doctors said Mr Lambert had shown signs last year of resisting treatment.
Rachel Lambert said her husband would "never have wanted to be kept in this state".
"There's no relief, no joy to express. We'd just like his will to be done," she said after the ruling.
I'm glad the family got the verdict they wanted. It must have been so hard for them to make the decision, especially after him being in the coma for 7 years
I'm glad the family got the verdict they wanted. It must have been so hard for them to make the decision, especially after him being in the coma for 7 years
They didn't, his parents want him kept alive. His wife is the one who wants him taken off life support.
