The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 15, 2025
Today: April 15, 2025

Ecuador's high court decriminalizes euthanasia, following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient

Ecuador Euthanasia
February 07, 2024
AP - AP

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador’s high court on Wednesday decriminalized euthanasia and ordered lawmakers and health officials to draft rules and regulations for the procedure.

The decision of Ecuador’s highest court came in response to a lawsuit from a terminally ill woman diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ASL, who had argued that she should be allowed to have death with dignity.

In Latin America, Colombia previously had been the only country to decriminalize euthanasia, while Uruguay and Chile are debating the matter.

Ecuador's high court decriminalizes euthanasia, following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient
Ecuador-Euthanasia

The lawsuit in Ecuador was filed by Paola Roldán in August 2023. She argued that a death with dignity is a right of “those who suffer and have suffered serious or incurable diseases." She said they should be allowed to “freely and voluntarily to end their life” to stop “intense physical or emotional pain or suffering.”

Roldán, 42, began experiencing symptoms of ASL, which weakens muscles and impairs physical functions, in 2020.

It's not clear whether she will be able to benefit from Wednesday's verdict because the court gave time frames of up to 12 months for the development of the appropriate procedures to implement the decision.

Related Articles

Orphaned squirrel who became social media star was euthanized after being seized from home Committee reviewing euthanasia in Canada finds some deaths driven by homelessness fears, isolation UK begins emotive debate on assisted dying as law change proposed New UK bill aims to legalize assisted dying for people who are terminally ill
Share This

Popular

Americas|Business|Economy|Political|US

US Treasury's Bessent backs Argentina's economic reforms with eye on China

US Treasury's Bessent backs Argentina's economic reforms with eye on China
Americas|Business|Economy|Finance

Brazil fintech Meliuz proposes expanding bitcoin reserves strategy

Brazil fintech Meliuz proposes expanding bitcoin reserves strategy
Americas|Crime|Political|US

Trump says he wants to imprison US citizens in El Salvador. That's likely illegal

Trump says he wants to imprison US citizens in El Salvador. That's likely illegal
Americas|Crime|Entertainment|World

Death toll in Dominican Republic disaster nears 250, nightclub faces lawsuits

Death toll in Dominican Republic disaster nears 250, nightclub faces lawsuits

Health

Asia|Business|Health

Eli Lilly's Mounjaro launch in India ignites wave of weight-loss enquiries

Eli Lilly's Mounjaro launch in India ignites wave of weight-loss enquiries
Education|Health|Lifestyle|Sports|US

New York plane crash claims lives of high-achieving family celebrating a birthday

New York plane crash claims lives of high-achieving family celebrating a birthday
Economy|Health|Political|US

California OKs $2.8B to close Medicaid funding gap after expanding immigrant coverage

California OKs $2.8B to close Medicaid funding gap after expanding immigrant coverage
Entertainment|Fashion and Beauty|Health

Six-year-old fighting cancer shines at fashion show

Six-year-old fighting cancer shines at fashion show

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In