Bill Passes Senate After Lower House Approval
Euthanasia to Be Performed by Medical Professionals;
Assisted Suicide Not Permitted
Uruguay has become the first country in Latin America to pass a bill approving euthanasia.
According to foreign media outlets such as the Associated Press on October 15 (local time), 20 out of 31 Uruguayan senators voted in favor of implementing the bill decriminalizing euthanasia. The bill had already passed the lower house by an overwhelming majority in August of last year, and was approved by the Senate on this day. As a result, the Uruguayan government is expected to implement the law soon.
Uruguayan citizens are applauding and celebrating after the euthanasia approval bill passed. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Uruguay is the first Latin American country with a strong Catholic influence to legalize euthanasia. Previously, the Supreme Courts of Colombia and Ecuador had ruled that euthanasia is not a crime, but Uruguay is the first Latin American nation to explicitly allow euthanasia by law. After the bill passed, Uruguayan Vice President Carolina Cosse described it as “a historic event that puts Uruguay at the forefront of addressing a very human and sensitive issue.”
With the passage of the bill, medical professionals in Uruguay will now be able to perform euthanasia on patients who are mentally sound. There are also no restrictions based on life expectancy. In countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, euthanasia is only permitted for patients diagnosed with a life expectancy of six months or one year or less. In Uruguay, patients suffering from unbearable pain due to incurable diseases will be eligible for euthanasia even if they have not been diagnosed as terminally ill.
However, assisted suicide, which is referred to as “active euthanasia,” is not permitted. Active euthanasia involves the patient administering a lethal dose of medication to themselves. Unlike Belgium and the Netherlands, which allow euthanasia for minors, Uruguay has decided to prohibit euthanasia for minors.
Although Latin America is known for its strong Catholic population and conservative attitudes toward issues of life and dignity such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, and abortion, Uruguay is considered the most progressive country in the region. In 2012, Uruguay allowed abortion under limited circumstances, and the following year, legalized same-sex marriage. In 2017, it became the first country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis. Compared to other Latin American countries, Uruguay is less religiously oriented, prohibiting references to God in the presidential oath of office and referring to Christmas as “Family Day.”
Currently, countries that have legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide include the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, several states in Australia, and several states in the United States.
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