In Spain, the legalization of euthanasia is both supported and condemned / Article / LSM.lv

Spain has become one of the few countries in the world to have legalized euthanasia. It has been voted on by the Spanish Parliament, so the law allows anyone with a serious and incurable disease to demand help to die in order to end unbearable suffering. In Spain, however, the new law is perceived differently.

“The draft law is approved!” – With these words from the Speaker of the Spanish Parliament, the much-talked-about euthanasia law has entered into force, which the Parliament has almost divided. Most of the deputies who supported it stood up and applauded in the Chamber, while opponents of the law protested in silence and holding tablets with the words “We will repeal it”.

With the new law, people with serious and incurable diseases will be able to ask medical staff to die to inject deadly drugs and end unbearable suffering, or ask to assist in suicide when the patient performs the procedure themselves.

The patient will have to be a Spanish citizen or legal resident, be fully aware at the time of the request and be submitted in writing and twice. True,

the doctor may reject the application if he considers that the relevant criteria have not been met. The decision must also be approved by the other doctor and the evaluation committee.

Any medical practitioner will have the right to opt out of this procedure, which will take place within the Spanish National Health Service, for reasons of conscience.

Parliament’s decision has been welcomed by seriously ill patients and euthanasia activists, condemned by the Catholic Church, the right-wing and far-right opposition, and several medics have expressed concern about how this will happen in life and how it will work. Of the 350 members of parliament, 202 voted in favor, 141 against and two abstained,

Opponents and supporters of euthanasia also gathered in parliament on the day of the vote. Some held posters with the words “We made it! The law has been approved! ”. Others were dressed in mourning clothes with carvings in their hands.

“My husband was so sick, he was in so much pain that palliative care didn’t help him,” said Asuna Gomeza Bueno. “And the only thing that could save her was the chance to die.”

Markos Hurmans, a doctor and supporter of euthanasia, believes that the right to die in order to end suffering is a fundamental human right.

“These are another human rights that will be achieved in this country, and they will definitely make the world a better place,” he said.

Polonia Castellanosa, a spokeswoman for the far-right association, emphasized her demand for the fundamental right to life and freedom. “This law does not leave any freedom to those who suffer, and they are forced to accept the quickest solution – death,” Castellanosa stressed.

Spain has become the fourth country in the European Union to allow euthanasia. It is also legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. A similar law was passed by the Portuguese parliament in January, but was blocked by the Constitutional Court this week.
It is also allowed in Colombia worldwide. In Canada and parts of Australia, but also in a number of other countries, including several US states, so-called assisted euthanasia is allowed when a person is prescribed deadly drugs but uses them himself.

The law in Spain allows for euthanasia, when medical staff deliberately end their lives to stop suffering, and assisted suicide, when the patient performs the procedure himself.

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