Euthanasia in Mexico

Legislation on euthanasia in Mexico distinguishes between passive and active euthanasia. Since 7 January 2008, the law allows the terminally ill —or closest relatives, if unconscious— to refuse medication or further medical treatment that may extend life (known as passive euthanasia) in Mexico City,^[1] in the state of Aguascalientes (since 6 April 2009)^[2] and, since 1 September 2009, in the state of Michoacán.^[3]

While the exact procedure may vary, the regional laws dealing with living wills —usually called leyes de Voluntad Anticipada— generally require a notary public to witness the instructions left by the patient.

As for active euthanasia, the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) have introduced bills to decriminalize it in both the Senate (2007)^[4] and the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District (2009),^[5] but have failed to change the Article 166 bis 21 of the General Health Law, which still defines euthanasia as mercy homicide.^[6] In addition, as of December 2010^[update], 18 out of 31 states have modified their constitution under pressure from the dominant Catholic Church to protect the right to life "from the moment of conception until natural death",^[7] effectively discarding any initiative contemplating active euthanasia within state borders.

^ "Publica GDF Ley de Voluntad Anticipada". El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. Notimex. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
^ Rodríguez, Susana; Salazar, Aníbal (8 April 2009). "Sólo falta reglamentar la voluntad anticipada para aplicarla: Ruvalcaba". La Jornada Aguascalientes (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2009.
^ "Michoacán aprueba Ley de Voluntad Anticipada". El Economista (in Spanish). Morelia, Mexico. Notimex. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
^ "Mexico moves to legalise euthanasia". Mexico City. Reuters. 13 April 2007. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
^ Barría, Cecilia (26 November 2009). "Crece debate por eutanasia en México DF". BBC Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 December 2010.
^ Cruz González, René (21 January 2010). "PAN y PRD matan la ley priista de eutanasia en ALDF". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). Mexico City. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
^ Bremer, Catherine (9 July 2005). "Euthanasia Stance Affirmed in Mexico". Washington Post. Reuters. p. B08. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

[eluniversal-df-1] "Publica GDF Ley de Voluntad Anticipada". El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. Notimex. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

[jornada-ags-2] Rodríguez, Susana; Salazar, Aníbal (8 April 2009). "Sólo falta reglamentar la voluntad anticipada para aplicarla: Ruvalcaba". La Jornada Aguascalientes (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2009.

[eleconomista-mich-3] "Michoacán aprueba Ley de Voluntad Anticipada". El Economista (in Spanish). Morelia, Mexico. Notimex. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

[reuters-active-mx-4] "Mexico moves to legalise euthanasia". Mexico City. Reuters. 13 April 2007. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

[5] Barría, Cecilia (26 November 2009). "Crece debate por eutanasia en México DF". BBC Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 December 2010.

[6] Cruz González, René (21 January 2010). "PAN y PRD matan la ley priista de eutanasia en ALDF". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). Mexico City. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2010.

[Bremer_2005-7] Bremer, Catherine (9 July 2005). "Euthanasia Stance Affirmed in Mexico". Washington Post. Reuters. p. B08. Retrieved 25 September 2009.

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