After more than twelve hours of debate, the Uruguayan Senate gave final sanction to the “death with dignity” project. The law guarantees the right to access euthanasia for adults with terminal illnesses or irreversible conditions.
He Senate of Uruguay approved this Tuesday the bill that allows euthanasia, making the country the first in Latin America in enshrining the right to a dignified death through legislation. The initiative, which had already been supported by Deputies, was sanctioned after more than twelve hours of debate in the enclosure.
with some 20 affirmative votes out of 31the first vice president of the Upper House, Sebastian Sabini Giannecchiniconfirmed the approval:
“The project has been approved, which will be communicated to the Executive Branch on the same day”he announced, while the senators present celebrated with applause.
The call “death with dignity project” will now be regulated by the president Yamandu Orsiwhich will complete the legalization process.
The euthanasia bill approved by the Uruguayan Senate
The law seeks to guarantee the right to “go through the dying process with dignity”decriminalizing the practice in mentally fit adults who suffer from incurable, irreversible diseases or unbearable suffering.
In the region, Colombia and Ecuador allow euthanasia, although court rulings and not by legislative means. At a global level, Uruguay joins a list of countries like Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand and Canadawhere the right to die with dignity is already recognized.
According to one Cifra survey published in May, the 62% of Uruguayans expressed their support for euthanasia, while 24% expressed their rejection.
In the last two years, social support for the measure has grown seven percentage pointsreflecting a profound change in public perception about the end of life.
Source: Ambito
