The procedure is aimed at "people with chronic diseases that are degenerative or irreversible, with pain that cannot be relieved, who are at the end of their life or who have suffered injuries that have brought them to this state"
The Cuban National Assembly moved on Friday to legalize euthanasia, during the legislative project to update the legal framework governing the country's free health system.
"The human right to a dignified death is recognized by the decisions that a person can make about the end of their life, which may include the limitation or interruption of therapeutic efforts and palliative care, as well as valid actions to terminate of life" states the adopted legal text.
The procedure is aimed at "people with chronic diseases that are degenerative or irreversible, with pain that cannot be relieved, who are at the end of their life or who have suffered injuries that have brought them to this state," explains the new law.
Alberto Roque, doctor of bioethics at the Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Havana, clarified that "the new legislation provides the necessary general legal framework so that in the future any form of euthanasia can be approved, that is, either active euthanasia or assisted suicide."
Euthanasia and medically assisted suicide, which are practices rejected by some religions, have sparked huge controversy around the world.
Only a few countries have gone ahead to accept it, while others equate it to murder. In the Old Continent, euthanasia procedures are legal in countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain and Germany.
Outside of Europe, similar legislation has been adopted in Australia, New Zealand, while in the American continent, apart from Cuba, the procedure is legal in Colombia, Canada and some US states.
Sources: AR, Reuters, ERT