LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Ecuador became the second Latin American country to allow euthanasia, following a historic decision by its Constitutional Court on Wednesday. The landmark ruling, passed with seven out of nine judges in favor, opens the door for doctors to assist terminally ill patients in ending their suffering without facing criminal charges.
This decision comes after a courageous fight by Paola Roldán, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and bedridden due to the progressive disease. She challenged an article in the Ecuadorian penal code that criminalized euthanasia, carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 13 years in prison.
“I want to rest in peace,” Roldán told the court via video link in November. “What I experience is painful, lonely and cruel.” In a press conference after the ruling, she expressed her joy, stating, “Ecuador is a little more welcoming, freer and more dignified.”
Following Colombia’s lead in decriminalizing euthanasia in 1997, this decision opens the door for similar debates in Uruguay and Chile. Mexico currently has a “good death” law allowing patients or their families to refuse life support.
The court acknowledged the “unreasonable” burden on those suffering intensely from incurable illnesses and stated that “every human being can make free and informed decisions” regarding their well-being. This includes the right to end “intense suffering” under specific conditions.
While the Health Ministry must draft regulations within two months and the Ombudsman’s office has six months to create a bill for Congressional approval, Roldán’s lawyer insists the ruling is immediately enforceable.
Roldán’s father expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the historical significance of the ruling while grappling with the potential future loss of his daughter. “We are supporting Paola,” he said.
Roldán herself, upon learning the case was nearing its final stage, wrote on social media: “Several times I thought that I would not be able to see the fruits of this lawsuit, like someone who plants a tree so that someone else can sit under its shadow.”
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.