Portuguese Parliament Legalizes Euthanasia For People Over 18

Posted by: lukwago J in Health May 13, 2023

Portuguese parliament approved the legalization for the use of euthanasia for people who are aged 18 and suffering from intolerable pain and terminal illnesses.

Portugal joins the list of small number of other countries that have legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide legal.

Meanwhile the largely catholic nation is split over the matter following the conservative president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa who is a staunch churchgoer voiced his strong disapproval for the measure as per AFP.

The president opposed the Euthanasia measure which was adopted by parliament four times in the previous three years but was always sent back every time for a constitutional review.

People over 18 will be permitted to request aid in dying under its terms if they are terminally sick and in intolerable pain.

Individuals experiencing lasting and unbearable agony will be covered. However it’s not applicable to those whose mental health is considered unfit for such a choice.

In addition the law will not apply for foreigners who enter the country to seek assisted suicide; it will only apply to citizens and legal residents.

The law was already approved by huge majority

However the governing socialists who have an absolute majority in parliament supported the adoption of the definitive version of the law on Friday.

…. “We are confirming a law that has already been approved several times by huge majority,”said MP Isabel Mareira from the socialist party who backed the legislation.

Meanwhile the new law can be promulgated by the president within a week. Portuguese media said that it may go into effect by the autumn.

…”We have at last come to the end of a long battle,” Moreira told AFP.

Euthanasia was first used in Belgium since 2014 allowing doctors assisted death for children of all ages.

The legislation does however place certain limitations on children who wish to exercise these rights and it’s required that they must have permissions of their parents and medical professionals.

Euthanasia laws have been controversial internationally as many of its supporters argue that it allows patients to die with dignity and relieve their suffering.

Meanwhile those who oppose Euthanasia say that it is unethical and undermines the value of human life.

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