Peru has first authorized euthanasia, Catholic bishops complain

In Peru, euthanasia is prohibited, but the country's courts confirmed in a ruling the first authorization for the procedure to be carried out. The legal victory and the decision to seek a dignified death came from Ana Estrada, a 45-year-old psychologist.

Posted by

João Caminoto

July 15, 2022 12:32 PM

Portrait of Ana Estrada, a Peruvian woman who made her case public to access her assisted death.

The right to euthanasia was recognized this Thursday (14) by the Peruvian Supreme Court of Justice, by four votes to two, confirming the first instance decision of February 2021. In Peru, euthanasia is not permitted and the penalty for those assisting the patient in carrying out the procedure is three years in prison.

The applicant

The request for authorization for the intervention, defined as “the action of a doctor to directly (orally or intravenously) provide a drug intended to end your life”, came from Peruvian psychologist Ana Estrada, 45.

She has suffered from incurable polio since she was 12 years old, has used a wheelchair since she was 20, and today, almost all of her muscles are paralyzed. She spends most of the day connected to an artificial respirator. The disease causes progressive muscle weakness.

The “operation protocol” on how Ana should obtain the right she achieved has not yet been released, and the procedure is expected to take place on July 22nd.

“Defender and guardian of your freedom”

These words make up Ana’s description on your Twitter profile. When she decided to die, Ana took an unprecedented path in the country, becoming central in the fight for right to euthanasia in your country.

On February 27, 2021, a week after the court ordered the Ministry of Social Security for Health (Essalud) to “respect its decision”, representatives of the Catholic church Peruvian women declared repudiation of the measure, claiming it was “an attack on the inalienable right to life”.

Ana comments that, the discussion “is much more present than when I started, even if it is still taboo, but now the debate has at least opened up, whether against or in favor, but we started talking about it”. On her Twitter, she said that “this fight is feminist”.

The psychologist says she does not want to convince anyone of anything, but rather guarantees autonomy and freedom to those who want to make this decision. Walter Gutiérrez, Ana's lawyer, said that the sentence in favor of his client is “really transcendent because it recognizes the right to decide in the final part of life, to end suffering, with a condition that can be considered unworthy of living” .

Curto Curatorship

Ana Estrada fights for euthanasia: life is a right, not a duty (UOL)

This post was last modified on July 19, 2022 05:43 pm

João Caminoto

Journalist with more than 30 years of experience, I held various positions - from reporter to international correspondent to editorial director - in several publications, such as Estadão, Broadcast, Época, BBC, Veja and Folha. I feel privileged to have embraced this profession. I am in love with my family and Corinthians.