Uruguay is poised to become the third country in Latin America to legalize euthanasia — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the nation’s Catholic bishops. The bill, scheduled for a final vote today (Aug. 12) after eight years of legislative debate, would establish a comprehensive legal framework for the practice, setting strict medical and legal requirements for those seeking a so-called “dignified death.”
Euthanasia remains illegal in most of Latin America and is punishable by law in many countries. Only Colombia and Ecuador currently permit it, while globally, just eight nations — including Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, and Luxembourg — allow the procedure. Supporters in Uruguay, led by congressman Federico Preve Cocco, say the legislation would make the country “the first in Latin America to have a complete, definitive regulatory framework… in terms of human rights.”
The proposal distinguishes between active euthanasia, in which a physician administers a lethal dose; passive euthanasia, in which treatments or medications are withheld; and assisted suicide, in which a person is helped to end their own life, according to Gabriel Ballerini, a Master in Bioethics, commenting to Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
It sets strict conditions: patients must be adults, must provide legal consent, and must undergo evaluation by both medical and psychological professionals. Two independent medical opinions — and in some cases a review by a medical board — would be required. The law’s stated goal is to protect “personal autonomy and freedom of choice” for patients with terminal or incurable illnesses that cause unbearable suffering and progressive loss of quality of life.
High-profile cases in the region have shaped the debate, such as Ana Estrada in Peru, who received euthanasia after years of battling polymyositis; Paola Roldán in Ecuador, whose lawsuit led to decriminalization; and Colombia’s 2022 decision to decriminalize all forms of euthanasia.
The bill’s advancement has prompted vocal opposition from the Catholic Church, which has called for strengthening palliative care rather than legalizing euthanasia. On Tuesday, the Permanent Council of the Episcopal Conference of Uruguay (CEU) met with President Yamandú Orsi to discuss national issues, including the pending vote.
“We wanted to focus our input on what can be done from a positive perspective: to accompany, care for, and promote palliative care,” said Monsignor Heriberto Bodeant, Bishop of Canelones. He stressed that the Church’s position is to defend the dignity of life until its natural end, not to request a presidential veto. “It was a respectful and open exchange,” he said.
The CEU’s statement reiterated concerns that legalizing euthanasia could weaken societal commitment to caring for the sick and vulnerable. Instead, bishops urged the government to prioritize expanding access to pain management, psychological support, and family assistance for terminal patients.
If approved, Uruguay would join Colombia and Ecuador in permitting euthanasia — a development supporters hail as a landmark for individual rights and opponents warn could mark a shift in the country’s ethical and medical landscape.
Based on reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
