He had wanted to die for several years – a claim he had also publicized in 2020 – and demanded the right to euthanasia. The activist for a “dignified” end of life Alain Cocq died on Tuesday, June 15, at the age of 58, his entourage announced. He finally succumbed to an incurable disease in Switzerland as part of an assisted suicide procedure.
“He took a pill; it was very quick. It’s done, and it’s a very good thing that he left as he wished ”, declared François Lambert, one of his relatives, who is also a lawyer and nephew of Vincent Lambert, who died in 2019. After spending more than ten years in a vegetative state, the latter had become a symbol of the debate on the end of life in France. “It’s better to stay alive in this state”, added François Lambert.
“Alain Cocq died this morning at 11:20 am In Bern (CH), according to his wishes, with dignity. Rest at last in peace Alain ”, said on Facebook, Sophie Medjeberg, another close to the Dijonnais. In an open letter, addressed in particular to the President of the Republic, Mr. Cocq himself announced ” hereby, [son] death with dignity, as part of an assisted suicide procedure in Switzerland ”.
Thirty-five years in “palliative care”
Mr. Cocq had already addressed Emmanuel Macron, in August 2020, asking him in vain to authorize, on a compassionate basis, the medical profession to prescribe him penthiobarbital, a powerful barbiturate which would have allowed him to “Leave in peace”. Mr. Macron had refused, saying “Not being able to ask anyone to go beyond our current legal framework”.
Alain Cocq was diagnosed at the age of 23 with a disease as incurable as it was painful, which led him to live for thirty-five years. “In palliative care”, in its terms. Despite all his suffering, he could not benefit from the law in force, known as Claeys-Leonetti, adopted in 2016, since the latter does not allow “Deep and continuous sedation, which can go as far as death” only for people whose prognosis is vital ” short term “.