End of life: Facebook blocks video broadcasting of Alain Cocq

Facebook blocked Saturday noon the video broadcast of the agony of the dignified end of life activist, Alain Cocq, suffering from an incurable disease and who decided to let himself die live on the social network.

"While we respect his decision to draw attention to this complex issue, based on expert advice, we have taken steps to prevent live streaming on Alain's account as our rules do not allow not depicting suicide attempts, "a Facebook spokesperson told AFP.

Alain Cocq denounces "an obstacle to freedom of expression"

On the night of Friday to Saturday, this inhabitant of Dijon had announced in a video that he had stopped his treatment and all diet and hydration, thus letting himself die live in order to denounce the current provisions on the end of life in France.

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 Alain Cocq's end of life: "If the law is ambiguous, it must be clarified"

Hours later, as he was about to post a new video, he announced, "Facebook is blocking me from video broadcasting until September 8."

"Your turn to play", also writes this 57-year-old man for his supporters before giving the address of Facebook France in Paris to "let people know what you think of his methods of obstructing freedom of 'expression".

"A fallback system will be active within 24 hours" to broadcast video, he said.

Facebook's strict rules

Facebook has detailed rules: while they do not include specific end-of-life provisions, they are, however, very strict regarding content that may be akin to promoting suicide or self-harm.

Cases that include euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Many Internet users have provided support to the patient.

"The Cocq law will happen, I am sure", wrote one of them, convinced that its action will allow an evolution of the Claeys-Léonetti law of 2016 which authorizes deep sedation but only for people whose The prognosis is "in the short term".