For three decades, Anna Estrada lived with a rare
incurable disease that weakened her muscles. She was bedridden
and required a ventilator to breathe. The Peruvian psychologist
died by euthanasia on Sunday after a lengthy court battle
ended in a landmark ruling, allowing her to end
her life with medical assistance. Her lawyer said euthanasia
is illegal in Peru. Estrada went to court in
2016 to fight for access to an assisted death.
Six years later, in 2022 the nation's Supreme Court
confirmed a ruling that gave her an exemption to end
her life. While the Supreme Court did not legalize
assisted dying, it exempted the doctor who supplied the
drug to end Estrada's life from any punishment. Estrada
spoke to Reuters months before the landmark ruling, I
had never imagined that I was capable of doing this
facing such a complex and delicate issue here in Peru
where there had never been any talk of dignified death
or euthanasia. So I feel proud, I feel
happy to be accompanied and supported by so many people
. Euthanasia is illegal in most countries including Peru,
a deeply Roman Catholic country under Peruvian law assisting someone's
suicide and killing a terminally ill patient are punishable with
prison time in Latin America, Colombia, Ecuador and
Cuba have allowed the practice under certain conditions.