Portugal’s president vetoes euthanasia and assisted suicide law

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed a euthanasia and assisted suicide law. Portugal “values of life and free self-determination”, the President said in a statement.

The President of Portugal has refused to approve a second draft bill proposing to legalise euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

President Rebelo de Sousa, a Catholic, had previously voiced opposition against the bill. In the case of the bill’s second draft, he cited its imprecise wording as his reason to veto it.

The first bill had been rejected by Portugal’s Constitutional Court because it did not have “the necessary rigour” required to be passed, as reported by SPUC at the time.

The proposed law sought to introduce euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide for patients suffering from “unbearable” pain “without a hope for a cure”.

But the Constitutional Court blocked the proposed law for failing to define the circumstances under which euthanasia can take place, as well as failing to define what is meant by “extreme suffering”.

President Rebelo de Sousa has also condemned the bill for its “contradictions”, which fail to address what is to be defined as “serious”, “fatal” or “serious” illness when deciding to kill a patient.

SPUC comment

A SPUC spokesperson said: “Around the world, principled politicians are still willing to take a stand against dangerous and contradictory euthanasia and assisted suicide bills, legislation which no civilised nation wanting to protect the elderly, ill and vulnerable should ever accept.

“In the UK, SPUC has mobilised its supporters against two similarly dangerous bills that seek to impose assisted suicide on the vulnerable.

“SPUC encourages its supporter to respond to the consultation on the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adult (Scotland) Bill. Information and assistance, including a SPUC briefing, on how to respond can be found by clicking here.

“We must take a stand together and protect the vulnerable.”

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Portugal’s president vetoes euthanasia and assisted suicide law

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed a euthanasia and assisted suicide law. Portugal “values of life and free self-determinat...

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