Annual General Meeting and commemoration on 20th anniversary of ADMD-L
Conference on the application of the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide

An enthousiastic AGM , with the positive report about the adoption of the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide.

A warm word of welcome by a member of the Town Council and representative of the Mayor, congratulating ADMD-L and the authors of the law.

Lydie Err and Jean Huss opened the gathering, remembering the founders of ADMD-L - in particular Dr Henri Clees - who had a vision, 20 years ago, to fight for the right to die with dignity and the patient’s self-determination concerning the end of life.

Regrets at the loss of Dr Clees and recognition of a small committee’ staunch work over 20 years coloured the meeting in a warm light.

Lydie Err and Jean Huss underlined that the work of ADMD-L was in no way finished with the adoption of the law, but that the association would continue to be present for the members ‘ information on setting-up an “Anticipated Declaration on euthanasia”, but also to see to the correct execution of the patients’ will concerning the end of life.

For the first time, several medical doctors were present at the meeting and particularly enjoyed a close exchange of ideas with the two speakers. The title of the conference “After 20 years of combat, the law is reality at last….Its application shown through the experience of nearly 7 years of depenalisation in Belgium” was of great interest to the audience. Jacqueline Herremans, President of ADMD Belgium and Dr François, Head of intensive care at the CHU Citadelle in Liège convinced every one present with their experience of implicating the law in their country.

A film by the Belgian Television Network underlined their exposés in a most moving, yet factual way. It demonstrated that indeed palliative care and euthanasia can go hand in hand, the latter being accepted when the best palliative care cannot alleviate the suffering any more. It also showed the difficulties that can be encountered in applying the law, when for instance a hospital or a doctor will not accept to apply a euthanasia, which of course nobody is obliged to do.

“the medical act is simple : remains for the patient to obtain it and for the medical teams to accept it”.