Facebook has blocked the live stream of a man in France chronically ill and bed-ridden who planned to broadcast his death. Alain Cocq, 57, has a medical condition that causes his arteries to stick together and appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron for a medically assisted death after he stopped all food and drink as of Friday night. He has used his condition to try to show his painful end and bring about changes to France’s right-to-die law, announcing that he would live-stream his death on Facebook.
“I know the days ahead are going to be difficult, but I have taken my decision and I am serene,” said Alain posting a video of himself lying prostrate on the bed.
“Our hearts go out to Alain Cocq and those who are affected by this sad situation,” Facebook spokesperson Emily Cain wrote on Saturday, according to The Verge. “While we respect his decision to draw attention to this complex and difficult issue, based on the guidance of experts, we have taken steps to keep Alain from broadcasting live, as we do not allow the depiction of suicide attempts.”
In a letter this week, which Cocq posted, Macron said that French law forbade him from granting his request for the “right to leave with dignity,” with a medically-assisted death. “With emotion, I respect your approach because it speaks to the very intimate relationship that each of us builds with the end of our life and our death,” Macron said in the letter dated Thursday, sent after one of his aides spoke at length with Cocq by telephone in August. In a handwritten addition at the end, Macron signed off the letter with the words, “With all of my personal support and my profound respect.” In France, euthanasia is illegal but the citizens can decide to cease medical treatment, and French law has no provision to prosecute people for suicide.
