The decriminalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide is a step closer to becoming a reality in Portugal after lawmakers approved a set of bills last week. Moves are also underway in neighbouring Spain to permit assisted suicide.
Lawmakers in the 230-seat parliament cast their votes on five proposals made by five political parties, including the ruling Socialists, to legalise the practices in certain cases and under strict rules.
All five proposals were approved, with the Socialists receiving 127 votes in favor and the Left Bloc’s bill getting the green light from 124 lawmakers.
The votes came two years after parliament rejected a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia for terminal patients by a narrow margin.
Outside parliament, hundreds of Portuguese, old and young, protested against the bills.
“I think life is an inviolable asset, human life has an inviolable value, consecrated by our Portuguese constitution – thank God,” 21-year-old protester Francisco Guimaraes told Reuters.
“We must care for life until it comes to its natural end.”
