Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Mar 19, 2009 / 12:04 pm
The Parliament of Luxemburg approved a law Tuesday legalizing euthanasia by a vote of 30-26, after limiting the powers of the Grand Duke Henry I, who had refused to sanction the measure for reasons of consciences.
Luxemburg has thus become the third EU country to enshrine euthanasia for the terminally ill in its law.
The new norm exempts doctors from legal or civil action for responding to a request for euthanasia or assisted suicide by an adult or a minor who has been diagnosed with an irreversible illness.
The measure was debated by the Luxemburg Parliament last December, but on that occasion the Grand Duke announced he would not sanction the measure. Consequently the anti-life Parliament passed a change to the Constitution to limit the Duke’s powers. Now Duke Henry I will not have to sanction laws for them to take effect, he will merely promulgate them.