BUENOS AIRES, March 3 (Reuters) – Lying on her bed, Ana Estrada says she feels “happy and satisfied” about the historic decision by Peruvian officials not to appeal against a court ruling that recognizes her right to an assisted death.
The ruling was remarkable in this predominantly Catholic country where euthanasia is illegal.
“It’s a separate issue, but I hope it serves as a precedent,” Estrada, 44, told Reuters, after the justice and health ministry’s decision late Tuesday honored her. give a judge rule that she has the right to “death with honor…”
Estrada, a psychologist, has suffered for three decades from polymyositis, a rare incurable disease that attacks her muscles. She breathes most of the time.
Estrada started a legal battle about five years ago to allow her to decide to end her own life “when the time comes.”
Euthanasia is disallowed in many countries and many in Peru are strongly opposed to the practice. Marriage and same-sex marriage are banned in Peru. In Latin America, Colombia allows the procedure under certain conditions.
Last week’s court ruling provided that state health insurer EsSalud provide “all conditions” necessary for Estrada’s euthanasia, which must occur alongside within 10 business days of the date on which she decides to end her life.
EsSalud said it would comply with the regulation and create medical commissions to develop a protocol for such cases. The court ruling also ruled out anyone who assisted Estrada’s death from being charged, although local law still prohibits anyone from aiding and abetting to death.
Estrada has written a blog since 2016 titled “Ana is seeking an honorable death.” She told Reuters that she would decide to end her life when she could no longer write.
“My body is failing, but my mind and spirit are happy,” she said. “I want the last moment of my life to continue like this, in freedom, with peace, tranquility and peace. independence. I want to be remembered as such. “
Written by Hugh Bronstein; Edited by Richard Chang