Martha Sepúlveda’s euthanasia canceled by Colombian authorities - The Washington Post
peter.suber's bookmarks 2021-10-12
Summary:
"Martha Sepúlveda was scheduled to become the first person in Colombia — a majority-Catholic country — without a terminal prognosis to die by legally authorized euthanasia on Sunday. But a surprise 11th-hour decision by health officials has halted her bid.
Sepúlveda, 51, was awakened by her lawyers Friday night with news of a letter announcing that her euthanasia procedure scheduled for 7 a.m. Sunday had been canceled, after a medical committee determined that she no longer met the conditions because her health apparently had improved....
Jaramillo’s law firm, the Laboratory of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, has vowed to fight the decision, which it described as “illegitimate and arbitrary,” and one that violates Sepúlveda’s right to a “dignified death.” They pointed to a recent constitutional court decision that allows euthanasia for patients with intense physical or mental suffering from bodily injury or serious and incurable disease, even if the prognosis is not terminal within six months...."