Ecuador Decriminalizes Euthanasia

Ecuador has joined Colombia as the second Latin American country to decriminalize euthanasia, according to BBC.

The constitutional court in Ecuador voted seven to two in favor of allowing doctors to assist patients in ending their lives.

This decision marks a significant step in recognizing an individual's right to a dignified life and is expected to have a profound impact on end-of-life care in the country.

The landmark ruling emerged from a lawsuit filed by Paola Roldán, a 42-year-old woman suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease.

ALS leads to muscle weakness and impaired physical functions, causing intense physical and emotional suffering.

Roldán challenged a penal code article that classified euthanasia as a crime of homicide, carrying a severe prison sentence.

"I want to rest in peace," she said during a court hearing in November through a video link.

"What I experience is painful, lonely, and cruel," she added.

Legal Victory for Death with Dignity Advocates

Paola Roldán, who began experiencing ALS symptoms in 2020, argued that individuals facing serious or incurable diseases have the right to choose a death with dignity, Le Monde noted.

The court's decision grants lawmakers and officials up to 12 months to develop regulations for implementing the ruling.

Additionally, the court expedited Roldán's request for permission to end her life, provided she meets specific conditions, including intense suffering due to a serious, irreversible bodily injury or an incurable illness.

Faith Simon, one of Roldán's attorneys, emphasized that the court's decision opens the possibility for others to avail of euthanasia under specific conditions.

The ruling aims to balance individual autonomy, freedom, and dignity while acknowledging the unique circumstances that individuals facing terminal illnesses endure.

Global Context and Future Implications

Ecuador's decision aligns with Colombia's move in 1997 to decriminalize euthanasia. This development underscores a shifting perspective on end-of-life choices in Latin America, per France 24.

Uruguay and Chile are currently debating similar legislation, while Mexico has a "good death" law allowing patients or their families to opt out of life support.

Ecuador's Constitutional Court, traditionally conservative in this predominantly Catholic nation, acknowledged the right to euthanasia in response to a terminally ill patient's plea.

The ruling emphasized the importance of allowing individuals facing unbearable suffering from irreversible injuries or incurable illnesses the autonomy to make end-of-life decisions.

"Every human being can make free and informed decisions when their personal development is affected, which... includes the option of ending the intense suffering caused by a serious and irreversible bodily injury or a serious and incurable illness," it said.

The Health Ministry in Ecuador has been tasked with drafting regulations for the euthanasia procedure within two months, while the Ombudsman's office is expected to present a bill on euthanasia to Congress within six months.

While this legal victory is considered historic, Paola Roldán's family expressed mixed emotions.

Her father acknowledged the satisfaction of achieving a significant milestone for Ecuadorian society but also conveyed the emotional challenge of contemplating his daughter's potential death.

The court's decision is expected to influence end-of-life care discussions globally and contribute to ongoing conversations surrounding individual rights and choices in the face of terminal illnesses.

Paola Roldán's lawsuit has not only impacted her life but also paved the way for a more compassionate and dignified approach to end-of-life decisions in Ecuador.

WATCH: Ecuador's top court decriminalizes euthanasia following a lawsuit by a patient - From WION