Portugal approves a law decriminalizing euthanasia for people over the age of 18

Portuguese members of Parliament voted on Friday (May 12, 2023) to allow a medically assisted death in some circumstances in the country. The vote overturned a series of vetoes by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Souza.

Healthcare professionals will be able to assist dying patients if they are in dire straits as a result of a terminal illness or disabling injury. information from France Press agency.

According to the law of 6 (May 12), people over 18 years old will be able to seek medical assistance for dying in cases of terminal illness and intolerable suffering. The legislation would only cover those in pain “permanent” that it “Unbearable”. Here it is full (39 KB, in Portuguese).

The legislation also covers cases of terminal and disabling injuries, which “Putting a person in a state of dependence on third parties or technological support to carry out activities essential to daily living.”.

Patients deemed mentally unfit to make a decision by a psychiatrist will not be able to benefit from the new law. The legislation will only be applied in the national territory and to legal residents. Foreigners who are in the country seeking euthanasia would not be considered either.

Clear

The Portuguese parliament passed the euthanasia bill 4 times in the past three years, but it was sent back each time for constitutional review due to opposition from the president. The final version of the law was approved on Friday (May 12) with the support of left-leaning parliamentarians, who have an absolute majority in the House.

Among the deputies, 129 voted in favor of the law and 89 against it. One abstained. The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza, is obliged to approve the bill within eight days of its receipt, as soon as it is published in the Official Gazette.