On Thursday, 198 lawmakers of the lower house of Parliament voted in favour of the euthanasia law, while 138 voted against and two abstained. The law is designed to allow the patient to decide between euthanasia, performed by a health care professional, or assisted suicide, which could take place at home by taking a fatal dose of prescribed medication. Earlier this year, a German court overturned a ban on assisted suicide. In Portugal, lawmakers took a first step in February toward allowing euthanasia, but the legislative change could still be vetoed by the country’s president. Spain is a traditionally Catholic country and the Church has strongly opposed the idea of decriminalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Source: bd News24 December 17, 2020 21:56 UTC