Lawmakers in Uruguay receive feedback from local bishops concerning the preliminary bill proposing euthanasia legislation
In a significant development, the Chamber of Representatives in Uruguay has approved a bill that would legalize euthanasia for mentally competent adults suffering from terminal, incurable, and irreversible illnesses. Known as the Dignified Death Law, the bill is now set to move to the Senate for further consideration.
The law, if passed, would grant access to assisted suicide to individuals who provide express and repeated consent. To ensure the process is carried out ethically, the bill includes strict protocols. Requests must be made in writing and in person by the patient, who must be an adult with full mental capacity.
Two physicians must evaluate the case: a treating doctor within three days and an independent second opinion within five days. If these two doctors disagree on whether euthanasia is appropriate, the case is referred to a medical board review that decides within an additional five days.
Private clinics cannot provide euthanasia under the proposed law, and it would only be available to Uruguayan nationals or legal residents. An honorary commission would oversee compliance and report to the Health Ministry and Parliament, with violations subject to penal penalties.
The 2025 version of the bill reintroduced the medical board review requirement as a key change, addressing concerns from earlier versions. President Yamandú Orsi endorsed the revised bill, emphasizing the importance of extreme care and guarantees, including this review procedure.
The bill passed by 64 votes to 29 in the lower house in August 2025 and now awaits Senate committee examination and a Senate vote before presidential enactment. This amendment aims to provide an additional safeguard in the decision-making for euthanasia, reflecting a compromise to ensure ethical and medical scrutiny when doctors disagree.
The Episcopal Conference of Uruguay (CEU) issued a statement following the decision on August 13, expressing sadness about the bill's approval. The CEU cited Uruguayan Law, stating that active euthanasia is contrary to the ethics of the profession. However, they reiterated their support for palliative care that supports and accompanies patients with dignity.
The CEU offered gratitude to everyone in Uruguay working for the "culture of care, respect for the gift of life, and support for those who, due to their illness, are in a vulnerable situation." This is not the first time the euthanasia bill has passed in Uruguay; the original bill passed in the lower house in 2022 but was not signed into law.
If the Dignified Death Law is passed by the Senate, Uruguay will join a list of countries that have legalized some form of assisted dying, including Germany, Colombia, Austria, and Spain. The bill's progress reflects a global conversation about end-of-life choices and the balance between individual autonomy and ethical considerations.
