SPUC has condemned an attempt by an assisted suicide campaigner to livestream his own death as “reckless and deadly”. Alain Cocq, from France, who has had a degenerative disease for 34 years, is refusing any food, water or medication, and wants to broadcast his death in order to persuade French authorities to legalise assisted suicide.

Antonia Tully of SPUC’s Lives Worth Living said: “Mr Cocq’s plan to broadcast his suicide is both reckless and deadly. This is glorifying death as a solution to illness. Palliative care has so much to offer someone like Mr Cocq. Promoting suicide in this way sends a message of despair to people who have a debilitating disease. It sends a message that their lives are not worth living”

Blocked by Facebook

The social media giant Facebook has blocked Mr Cocq from livestreaming his own death for the public to watch, stating that “depiction of suicide attempts could be triggering and promote more self-harm".

Alain Cocq has written to French president Emmanuel Macron asking for medical professionals to help him take his own life. President Macron replied, confirming that his request was not allowed under French law.

“Suicide should never be showcased”

Antonia Tully said: “Suicide should never be showcased. Vulnerable people need care, not killing. It is vital that we promote a message of care and compassion. Each human life should be treated with dignity and respect and those in need must have access to high quality care.”

In recent years, suicide awareness campaigners have warned that portraying suicide in the media can increase the chance of suicide.

The Samaritans organisation has stated that: “There is significant research evidence which has linked certain types of media coverage of suicide with increases in suicide rates. This risk increases significantly if details of suicide methods are shown, if suicidal behaviour is sensationalised or romanticised and if the coverage is given undue prominence.”