French parliament debates divisive bill on assisted dying

In Kenya, mercy killing is illegal under Article 26 of the Constitution. [Courtesy]

France's parliament on Monday started debating a deeply controversial right-to-die bill backed by President Emmanuel Macron, who has made it a flagship reform of his second term.

If the bill becomes law -- at the end of discussions likely to last for more than a year -- it will bring France closer in line with its European neighbours, some of whom already allow assisted suicide.