Home

News

Uruguay’s Senate has given final approval to a law legalizing euthanasia, five years after the debate first began.

The upper chamber passed the measure with 20 votes in favor and 11 against, affirming an earlier decision of the Chamber of Deputies, which approved it in August with 64 votes in favor and 29 against. With this vote, the law is now fully sanctioned and only awaits regulation by the Executive Branch before it goes into effect.

Uruguay is now the first country in Latin America to legalize euthanasia by parliamentary vote — a decision that has sparked a passionate national debate over ethics, morality and the value of life.

The legislation has faced strong opposition from Catholic, Evangelical and other conservative groups who argue that life is a sacred gift and

See Full Page