Uruguay Approves 'Death with Dignity' Law to Legalize Euthanasia

The Uruguayan Senate approved a law on Wednesday that permits euthanasia under specific conditions, after years of debate in parliament. The vote passed with a majority of 20 votes out of 31 members present at the session, following the House of Representatives' approval of the law last August.

The law is known as 'Death with Dignity', placing Uruguay among the few countries globally that allow medically assisted death, similar to Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. In Latin America, Colombia decriminalized euthanasia in 1997, and Ecuador joined last year.

The law allows adults who are citizens or residents of Uruguay, who are mentally competent and suffering from a terminal illness or a condition causing unbearable suffering with a severe decline in quality of life, to request euthanasia.

Following the ratification of the law, the parliament witnessed applause and celebration from supporters of the legislation, while some attendees shouted 'Murderers!' in protest of the decision.