Facebook Bars Man Wishing To Publicise His Death

A Frenchman, Alain Cocq, battling with an incurable illness who wanted to stream his death on Facebook was barred from doing so.

Cocq, 57, said that after his request for euthanasia was denied by the President of France Emmanuel Macron he decided to refuse food, liquid and medicine offered to him.

Cocq suffers from a rare condition that causes his artery walls to stick to each other, and had said that he had less than a week left to live and was going to publicise his death.

He said, “The road to deliverance begins and believe me, I am happy,” adding that he had had his "last meal".

He also said, “I know the days ahead are going to be difficult but I have made my decision and I am calm."

Criticisms over Facebook's policy of censoring what users can and cannot view have been mounting, but it responded by saying that it did not want to allow the broadcast because its policies were not in agreement with content that showed "suicide attempts".

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A spokesperson for the social media platform said, “Although we respect  (Cocq’s) decision to want to draw attention to this complex question, following expert advice we have taken measures to prevent the live broadcast on Alain’s account.

“Our rules do not allow us to show suicide attempts.”

Cocq reached out to users on the platform, informing them that his attempt to film his death was blocked by Facebook, he said, “Facebook is blocking my video broadcast until September 8.”

“It is up to you now.

“There will be a back-up within 24 hours” to air the video.

Cocq had reached out to Macron requesting that he be given something that would ensure that he died peacefully, a request that was denied by Macron who said that it wasn't in alignment with French laws.

Macron had responded, “Because I am not above the law, I am not able to comply with your request.

“I cannot ask anyone to go beyond our current legal framework… Your wish is to request active assistance in dying which is not currently permitted in our country.”