EUTHANASIA AND CONSTITUTIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS: BALANCING THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE RIGHT TO DIE

The article is devoted to a comprehensive examination of the legal, ethical, and constitutional dimensions of euthanasia within the contemporary European legal framework. The core focus of the study lies in the relationship between the fundamental right to life and the principle of personal autonomy, from which a potential right to die may be derived. Drawing on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the article analyses the doctrine of the “margin of appreciation” afforded to states in regulating matters concerning the termination of life, as well as the requirements of international standards aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, ensuring procedural transparency, and preventing abuse. An analysis of national legal models across a number of European states reveals the absence of a unified approach and highlights the existence of diverse regulatory strategies, ranging from the full legalisation of euthanasia to an emphasis on the development of palliative care.

Particular attention is paid to the necessity of appropriate institutional conditions, including the availability of advanced palliative care services, the operation of independent oversight mechanisms, adherence to professional medical ethics, and a thorough assessment of the patient’s health status. The article concludes that the legalisation of euthanasia may be considered permissible only where a comprehensive system of safeguards is in place, capable of maintaining a balanced reconciliation between the protection of life, respect for human rights, and recognition of personal autonomy.

1. Rahman, S. The legality of euthanasia concerning right to life: A comprehensive review / S. Rahman, P. Saikia // International Journal of Health Sciences – 2022. – № 6 (S4). – Pp. 10646- 10654.

2. Meharia, A. Constitutional Standing of Euthanasia and Normative Elements Supporting Euthanasia [Jelektronnyj resurs] / A. Meharia // SSRN Electronic Journal. – 2020. – Rezhim dostupa: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348514387_Constitutional_Standing_of_Euthanasia_and_Normative_Elements_Supporting_Euthanasia (data obrashhenija: 27.11.2025).

3. Dei, M.O. National and international legal issues of the euthanasia [Jelektronnyj resurs] / M.O. Dei, I.S. Skliar, T. Kortukova // Polish Annals of Medicine. – 2021. – Rezhim dostupa: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355248811_National_and_international_legal_issues_of_the_euthanasia (data obrashhenija: 27.11.2025).

4. Picon-Jaimes, Y.A. Euthanasia and assisted suicide: An in-depth review of relevant historical aspects / Y.A. Picon-Jaimes, et al. // Annals of Medicine and Surgery. – 2022. – Volume 75. – 103380.

5. Smies, J.T. The legalization of euthanasia in the Netherlands. / J.T. Smies // Ethics & medicine: a Christian perspective on issues in bioethics. – 2001. – № 17 (1). – Pp. 7-12.

6. Rogoff, M.A. French Constitutional Law. Cases and Materials / M.A. Rogoff. – CarolinaAcademic Press, 2014. – 24 p.

7. Spranzi, M. The French Euthanasia Debate Exception and Solidarity / M. Spranzi // Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics. – 2013. – № 22 (03). – Pp. 1-9.

8. Warsi, A. Euthanasia in the European Union: Legal Diversity, Ethical Dilemmas, and the Quest for Harmonized Standards / A. Warsi, T. Rehman, S. Ijaz // Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. – 2022. – № 1 (8). – 4871.

9. Cohen, J. European public acceptance of euthanasia: Socio-demographic and cultural factors associated with the acceptance of euthanasia in 33 European countries / J. Cohen, et al. // Social Science & Medicine. – 2006. – Volume 63. Issue 3. – Pp. 743-756.

10. Aubry, R. End-of-life, euthanasia, and assisted suicide: An update on the situation in France / R. Aubry // Revue Neurologique. – 2016. – Volume 172. Issue 12. – Pp. 719-724.

11. Ormanova, Sh.Sh. Pravo na ohranu zdorov'ja v sisteme konstitucionnyh prav grazhdan / Sh.Sh. Ormanova, A.Sh. Mutaljapova // Құқyқ қorғau organdary akademijasynyң Zharshysy. – 2025.– № 2 (36). – S. 50-59.