“It is a historical fact that places Uruguay at the forefront in addressing deeply human and sensitive issues,” said the Vice President of Uruguay, Carolina Cosse, this Thursday after the Senate approved the “dignified death.” Colombia and Ecuador had decriminalized euthanasia years ago but through rulings by their constitutional courts. In Uruguay, this step was taken through the approval of a law. “Our commitment to the dignity, freedom and rights of all people is reaffirmed. We must continue!” said Cosse after a favorable vote by 20 of the 31 senators.
“We are once again pioneers in the rights agenda. The approval of the law on dignified death speaks of a deep commitment to human dignity and freedom,” wrote the Secretary of the Presidency, Alejandro “Pacha” Sánchez. Twelve years ago, under the Government of José Mujica, the production and sale of marijuana had been decriminalized.
The new regulations were voted positively after an intense debate that did not exclude the cry of “murderers” in the room from those who rejected the initiative that also had the endorsement of the Colorado party, which is in opposition. “Honoring the best liberal and humanitarian tradition of Uruguay We voted for the Euthanasia law,” said Senator Robert Silva.
Right-wing sectors expressed their dismay. According to Guido Manini Ríos, from Cabildo Abierto, “From now on the most fragile will be more defenseless than ever” because “they will be an easily disposable burden.” The representative of that formation, Silvana Pérez Bonavita, also regretted the legislative novelty. “Very sad day for Uruguay. The disastrous Euthanasia law has just been approved in the Senate.”
Activist Florencia Salgueiro believed, on the contrary, that there are reasons to celebrate. “I feel relief and joy.” She witnessed her father’s struggle to receive the benefit that had become law when the ELA made her days unbearable. “It is a law of compassion, very humane, very well written,” said Beatriz Gelós, a 71-year-old ALS patient who became one of the new faces of activism. He highlighted the fact that Uruguay has joined the small group of countries that legalized assisted dying, which includes Canada, the Netherlands and Spain, among others.
The Catholic Church showed “sadness” at the affirmative vote in Deputies in August and the resistance to the project that became law went beyond religious spheres. More than a dozen organizations had rejected the wording of the initiative as “deficient and dangerous.”
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