Last Thursday was a "tragic day" for Portugal according to SPUC when proposals to legalise euthanasia were approved by the nation’s 230-seat parliament, despite no party campaigning for it at the last general election. Antonia Tully of SPUC's Lives Worth Living campaign said:"It is a tragic day when a country moves to legalise killing its most vulnerable citizens." While President Rebelo de Sousa can veto the legislation, a further vote would see euthanasia and assisted suicide legalised.

After narrowly rejecting a move to legalise euthanasia in 2018, the Socialist minority government in Portugal has passed legislative proposals that will now be sent to a constitutional affairs committee to be made into one solid piece of legislation.

Mrs Tully said: "Sick, disabled and elderly people in Portugal will start to feel their lives are not worth living, once the option of euthanasia in available. In countries where euthanasia or assisted suicide have been legalised, we can see a cultural shift in which people start to accept death as a solution to the problems of sickness, disability and old age." 

"A sinister step backward for civilization"

There were protests outside the parliament last Thursday as opposition parties, as well as the Catholic Church, opposed the legislation. One of the protesters, Francisco Guimares, said: "Human life has an inviolable value… We must care for life until it comes to its natural end."

Telmo Correia, of the conservative Popular Party, commented that the vote on Thursday constituted "a sinister step backward for civilization", and joined calls for a referendum.

Once the finalised bill is put forward for a final vote, President Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative, may veto the legislation. However, a further vote in parliament would push the legislation through.

Mrs Tully added: "Portuguese citizens need to look at the evidence from around the world showing that once euthanasia is legalised those with dementia, mental health problems and even children can be killed. Every caring person in Portugal should start work now to resist this terrible outcome."

The five bills

The legislation introduces euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide for patients suffering from "unbearable" pain "without a hope for a cure." The person must be over 18 years old and not be suffering from mental illness.

To approve the death, two doctors would be required, including one who specialises in the involved illness, while a psychiatrist must also consent. The case would then be forwarded to a committee for final approval. The bill, when finalised, would only apply to legal residents and citizens of Portugal.

If the legislation receives final approval, Portugal will become the fourth European nation to make euthanasia fully legal, after the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg