At the beginning of this week, the Senate of the Argentine Nation gave a favorable course to the beginning of the debate for the implementation of a new law that allows Argentines access to euthanasia as if it was a human right.
This debate is part of the effort made by the ruling party to implement practices that threaten life, freedom and dignity of people in our country. After the so-called “Voluntary Pregnancy’ Interruption Law ” was approved on the 30th of December of 2021, this type of project has started to be considered in our country . By the end of 2021, 3 different bills have been introduced in Congress that aimed at euthanasia’s legalization.
The first of them, called “Law of Good Death” was presented by the radical deputies Alfredo Cornejo, Jimena Latorre (both from Mendoza) and Alejandro Cacace (from San Luis). Unlike the other 2 bills, this one presumes the least number of instances between the moment when the patient express his desire to be assisted to die and the moment where the euthanasia’s treatment is carried out. In this case, there are only two requirements: the first one is the patient’s presentation of 2 written requests to his doctor and the second one, the approval of the wish by a medical assistance and evaluation commission.
The second project was proposed by the radical deputy Julio Cobos and it’s called “Voluntary Interruption of Life. This project not only contemplate the 2 steps mentioned in the “Law of Good Death” bill , but also requires the presentation of a consent signed by the patient in the presence of 2 witnesses.
Finally, the third bill, entitled “Alfonso Law”, was drafted by the Frente de Todos’ deputy: Gabriela Estévez. The so-called “Right to help to die with dignity” bill requires the presentation of a third report that approves the request, in addition to the approval of 2 independent doctors that endorse the practice.
Beyond the differences that each of the bills has, the terrifying thing about all of them is that they aim to allow a person to ask for “assistance to cause their own death” only on the basis of the patient’s will to do so, being both mental and physical suffering a supposedly valid reason. If the ”Good Death Law” is approved, people would be able to request their own death at the age of 16 years old, without needing their parents’ consent, while 13-year-olds (also authorized to request such treatment) could do so but with the consent of their parents. This treatment appears as if it was a reversible action.
To come with a conclusion, there are two main issues that draw my attention: firstly, the fact that these bills are being introduced at the time the country is going through one of the worst economic crises in argentina’s history, being the urgent needs undoubtedly differents from the right to cause their own death. Secondly, the fact that the 3 projects have been supported by every POLITICAL SECTOR, leaves no room for an alternative that represents the values of those of us who fight for a country that respects the rights and dignity of people.
Biography:
- Proyecto de Ley “Buena muerte – Regulación de la Eutanasia”:
https://www.senado.gob.ar/parlamentario/comisiones/verExp/848.22/S/PL
- Proyecto de Ley “Ley Alfonso: derecho a la prestación de ayuda para morir dignamente”:
https://www4.hcdn.gob.ar/dependencias/dsecretaria/Periodo2021/PDF2021/TP2021/4734-D-2021.pdf
- Proyecto de Ley “Interrupción voluntaria de la vida”:
https://www.senado.gob.ar/parlamentario/comisiones/verExp/2577.21/S/PL
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