Uruguay Legalizes Euthanasia by Legislation

Uruguay's Senate passed a law decriminalizing euthanasia, making it the first country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to allow the practice through legislation. The bill, which had been under discussion for five years, cleared its final hurdle with 20 out of 31 senators voting in favor. This move distinguishes Uruguay from countries like Colombia and Ecuador, which decriminalized euthanasia through Supreme Court decisions. The law permits euthanasia for adults suffering from incurable illnesses causing 'unbearable suffering,' even if their condition is not terminal, and does not impose time limits or waiting periods, unlike laws in Australia and New Zealand. It requires patients to be mentally competent and assessed by two doctors, but does not allow euthanasia for minors, contrasting with Belgium and the Netherlands. The Catholic Church, led by Daniel Sturla, opposed the legislation, but Uruguay's secular identity helped erode resistance. Vice President Carolina Cosse hailed the law as a historic event, further cementing Uruguay's reputation as one of the most socially liberal nations in the region, following its pioneering legislation on marijuana, same-sex marriage, and abortion.