In a move that has set a new precedent in Latin America, Uruguay’s senate passed a law on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, decriminalizing euthanasia and allowing terminally ill adults to seek assisted death performed by healthcare professionals. With this decision, Uruguay becomes the first country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to legalize euthanasia through legislation, joining a select group of nations worldwide that have embraced such a policy.
The bill, known as the "Dignified Death" law, cleared its final hurdle after a marathon 10-hour debate in the senate, where 20 out of 31 legislators voted in favor. The lower house had already approved the bill in August 2025 by a large majority, paving the way for the senate’s historic vote. The debate, described by lawmakers as the most difficult of their careers, was largely respectful, though emotions ran high. Some onlookers in the public gallery cried out "murderers" as the results were announced, underscoring the deeply divisive nature of the issue in Uruguayan society, according to BBC and AP.
Senator Patricia Kramer, representing the governing leftist coalition, captured the sentiment driving the legislation forward, stating, "Public opinion is asking us to take this on." Indeed, a recent poll by the consulting firm Cifra revealed that more than 60% of Uruguayans support legal euthanasia, with only 24% opposed. This groundswell of public backing reflects Uruguay’s longstanding reputation for progressive social policies. The country, home to 3.5 million people, has previously led the region in legalizing marijuana for recreational use, same-sex marriage, and abortion, as noted by France24 and DW.
The new law permits euthanasia—defined as intentionally ending another person’s life painlessly—when performed by a healthcare professional. However, it does not allow assisted suicide, where patients would self-administer a lethal dose of prescribed medication. The distinction is important: euthanasia involves a medical practitioner directly intervening, while assisted suicide leaves the final act to the patient. The law also stands out for its inclusivity; unlike similar legislation in the US, Australia, and New Zealand that restrict eligibility to those with a life expectancy of six months or a year, Uruguay’s statute places no such time limits. Anyone suffering from an incurable illness causing "unbearable suffering" can seek euthanasia, even if their diagnosis is not considered terminal, as reported by The Hindu and AP.
Applicants must be mentally competent, and the law requires that two doctors independently confirm the patient’s psychological fitness to make such a decision. Requests for euthanasia must be made personally and in writing, and are limited to adult Uruguayan citizens or foreign residents. The legislation is clear: euthanasia will be performed so that the patient’s death occurs in a "painless, peaceful, and respectful manner," according to the text of the bill cited by BBC and France24. Notably, the law does not allow euthanasia for minors and does not explicitly ban the practice for those with mental conditions like depression, but the competence requirement acts as a safeguard.
The passage of the law has been met with both celebration and sorrow. Vice President Carolina Cosse hailed the moment as "a historic event, which places Uruguay at the forefront in addressing deeply human and sensitive issues." Supporters view the law as a compassionate response to the suffering of those with irreversible and debilitating conditions. Beatriz Gelós, a 71-year-old woman who has battled neurodegenerative ALS for two decades, told AFP, "The law is compassionate, very humane." She added, "Opponents have no idea what it’s like to live like this." Monica Canepa, whose 39-year-old son Pablo has been paralyzed by an incurable disease, echoed this sentiment: "Pablo is not living. This is not life."
Senator Daniel Borbonet, quoting testimony from Uruguayan patients with irreversible medical conditions, provided a poignant rationale for the law: "We all believe and feel that life is a right, both in health and in sickness, but it should never be an obligation because others don’t understand such unbearable suffering." His words resonated with many who see the law as an affirmation of individual autonomy at the end of life.
Yet, the legislation has faced staunch opposition, particularly from the Catholic Church. Archbishop Daniel Sturla of Montevideo urged Uruguayans "to defend the gift of life and to remember that every person deserves to be cared for, accompanied and supported until the end." In a statement to the Catholic News Agency, he lamented, "Instead of contributing to valuing life, [the bill] contributes to thinking that some lives are disposable, and that is why we believe it is fundamentally bad." The Church expressed "sadness" at the law’s passage, reflecting the enduring tension between secular and religious values in Uruguay’s public life.
Interestingly, Uruguay’s Medical Association has chosen not to take an official stance on euthanasia, leaving individual doctors to act according to their conscience. This neutrality may help ease the transition as the country moves to implement the new regulations, which are still pending government action.
Uruguay’s decision stands in contrast to the situation elsewhere in Latin America. While Colombia and Ecuador have decriminalized euthanasia, they did so through Supreme Court rulings rather than legislative action. In Cuba, terminal patients may refuse artificial life support, but no law permits euthanasia or assisted suicide. Globally, countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, Portugal, and Australia have legalized euthanasia or assisted dying in some form, but the specifics of eligibility and procedure vary widely.
The law’s passage comes after years of spirited activism and debate, mirroring Uruguay’s broader journey toward secularization and progressive reform. The country’s constitution bans any mention of God in oaths of office, and Christmas is officially called "Family Day." This secular ethos has likely contributed to the erosion of resistance to euthanasia and other controversial social issues.
As Uruguay prepares to implement the "Dignified Death" law, the world will be watching. The legislation’s broad eligibility criteria, lack of waiting period, and emphasis on patient autonomy mark a significant development in the global conversation about end-of-life care. For many Uruguayans, the law is not just about dying with dignity, but living with the assurance that their choices will be respected when facing unbearable suffering.
With the regulations yet to be finalized and the medical community navigating uncharted territory, Uruguay’s bold step is sure to spark further debate both at home and abroad. But for those who have long campaigned for the right to choose, Wednesday’s vote represents a profound affirmation of compassion and personal freedom in the face of life’s most difficult moments.
