Bill meant to legalize euthanasia in Colombia dies mercifully

Bogotá, Colombia, Nov 5, 2007 / 12:28 pm

 A bill that would have established norms for euthanasia died in the Colombian Senate this week as sponsors of the measure said they lacked the votes to ensure passage.

Speaking to the BBC, Senator Armando Benedetti Villaneda, who sponsored the measure, said changes would be made to the bill and that it would be brought before committee again next year.  “Most of my colleagues in the Senate are unruly, outdated and reactionary,” he said in explaining the reasons for withdrawing the measure.

The bill was supported by the Foundation for the Right to Death with Dignity, which promotes euthanasia in Colombia.  The organization’s vice president, Juan Mendoza Vega, said there was need for the norms because “there are doctors who for religious reasons do not practice it.”