After years of debate and being shelved during the previous legislative session, the euthanasia bill is expected to be voted on in the Senate, where the Broad Front (Frente Amplio-FA) party holds a majority, and some opposition senators have pledged their support.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, euthanasia was approved by court rulings in Colombia and Ecuador. Uruguay would be the 11th country worldwide to implement what they call a “dignified death” proposal.

The legislation was approved in the House of Representatives two months ago and also passed the Senate’s Public Health Committee.

The bill authorizes euthanasia for adults who are “mentally fit,” who are in the “terminal stage of an incurable and irreversible pathology,” or who are undergoing “unbearable” suffering, with “serious and progressive deterioration” in their quality of life.

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