“I will be a coward, but I don’t want to suffer anymore”: Colombian Martha Sepúlveda will contest the cancellation of her euthanasia in court

The cancellation at the last minute of the euthanasia – previously authorized – of a woman in Colombia sparked controversy and threats of legal action on Monday in the only country in Latin America where assisted death is decriminalized.

The legal representation of Martha Sepulveda announced a judicial appeal alleging “Cruel and degrading treatment as well as the violation of the right to die with dignity”By the clinic that refused to practice the euthanasia, according to lawyer Camila Jaramillo told Blu Radio.

“I will be a coward, but I don’t want to suffer anymore, I’m tired”, had said in an interview with Caracol Televisión on October 3, Sepulveda, 51 years old and suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Then her death was scheduled for Sunday at 07:00 in the morning, when she would become the first colombian to receive the euthanasia without being a terminal patient.

The Constitutional Court, which ensures compliance with the Magna Carta, decided in July to extend “the right to a dignified death“To those who suffer “Intense physical or mental suffering from bodily injury or serious and incurable disease.”

This was the case of Martha, who suffers from severe pain and difficulty walking, symptoms of this neurodegenerative disease without a cure.

Change of mind

its euthanasia then received the green light for being a patient with “Advanced incurable disease”, “physical and / or psychological symptoms that generate suffering” and “Capacity for decision-making”said the Colombian Institute of Pain (INCODOL), in charge of the procedure.

But on Friday, a stark document that came under his door announced the cancellation from euthanasia by determination “unanimous”From the medical committee that had previously approved it.

In a second communication, INCODOL justified the decision in a “updated concept of the state of health and evolution ” of Martha.

The aforementioned Caracol report on the case, which was replicated in international and local media, evidenced “ua functionality greater than that reported by the patient and her relatives “, according to the institute’s text released by those close to him.

After viewing the images, the committee concluded that “The patient has a high probability of life expectancy greater than six months, therefore she does not meet the termination criteria.”

Attorney Jaramillo questioned the change in the decision: “We do not know why they evaluated in August with some criteria and in October with others, knowing that the Court’s ruling is firm “, said.

Questioned by the AFP, a person in charge of the Ministry of Health assured that the sentence that extended access to the euthanasia non-terminal patients do not have “Legal effects” for now because “lThe Constitutional Court has not yet notified the decision to the Ministry ”, which does not know the full text.

For its part, the Court alleges that the ruling is in force even though it is not fully known.

Church against

Martha is seen smiling, loving towards her son and clear-headed during the televised interview.

He says he feels more “quiet”Since she knows that she will die before being“ bedridden ”.

“Although this circumstance led my mother to her previous state of hopelessness and sadness (…) we are willing to fight for my mother’s dignity until the last consequences since her decision has not changed at all”, assured his son, Federico Redondo, after learning about the cancellation of the procedure.

The Catholic Church asked Martha “reflect on your decision “, then “death cannot be the therapeutic answer to pain and suffering in any case ”, according to a statement.

“God does not want to see me suffer“Replied the woman, who defines herself as Catholic and chose to die on a Sunday in honor of her religion.

In Latin America, only Colombia decriminalized euthanasia in 1997, but there are still gaps that prevent the fulfillment of that mandate in this country with a conservative tradition.

According to official figures, 157 people have received the euthanasia in the country, all of them in the terminal phase of a disease.

In Mexico there is the so-called law of “Good die”, Which authorizes the patient or his family to request that life not be prolonged by artificial means, while in Uruguay Parliament is discussing a project on the euthanasia.

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