This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33018506

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Right to die: Court backs France in Vincent Lambert case Right to die: Court backs France in Vincent Lambert case
(31 minutes later)
The European Court of Human Rights has upheld the decision of a court in France to allow a paralysed man to be taken off life support.The European Court of Human Rights has upheld the decision of a court in France to allow a paralysed man to be taken off life support.
Vincent Lambert, 40, has been in a coma for seven years after a motorcycle accident left him a tetraplegic.Vincent Lambert, 40, has been in a coma for seven years after a motorcycle accident left him a tetraplegic.
His family have been split over whether he should be kept alive.His family have been split over whether he should be kept alive.
The case was taken to the European court last year after France's highest court had ruled in favour of ending his life support.The case was taken to the European court last year after France's highest court had ruled in favour of ending his life support.
It sparked fierce debate in France where euthanasia is illegal, although doctors can withdraw care.
Mr Lambert has been kept alive with the use of intravenous food and water at a hospital in Reims in north-east France.
His wife and some of his brothers and sisters had agreed with doctors' recommendation that his life be ended as there was no hope of recovery.
But Mr Lambert's parents - who are said to be devout Roman Catholics - and other siblings have argued that he is not at the end of his life and simply needs better care.
The court in Strasbourg ruled on Friday that the decision to stop intravenously feeding Mr Lambert did not violate European rights laws.
"There's no relief, no joy to express. We'd just like his will to be done," Mr Lambert's wife Rachel said after the ruling, according to the Associated Press.