Spain Set To Decriminalise Euthanasia Tuesday Feb 11,2020

Spanish legislators have voted in favour of a draft bill that could see the country become the seventh in the world to decriminalise euthanasia, overcoming years of opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and conservative politicians

Legislators on Tuesday Feb 11,2020 discussed a draft bill, proposed by the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), voting by 208 in favour to 140 against, with two abstentions

Under the proposed legislation, patients will be able to apply to end their lives through the public healthcare system.

Currently, under Spanish law, helping somebody to die carries a potential five-year jail sentence and any person directly involved in causing another's death can be tried for homicide and imprisoned for up to 10 years.

The draft bill stipulates that a person can only choose to die if they have a serious and incurable illness, or a chronic, severe disability. They must also be in a situation which makes life "unbearable"

To qualify, they must be a Spanish citizen or a foreign national who is legally resident in the country

A request to die must be made in writing, without pressure, and repeated after 15 days. Provisions are made for people who become incapacitated after giving instructions about their wishes

Two different doctors must consider each case and then it is also examined by a separate commission.