Ils prolongent le délai pour signer une loi sur le bien de mourir

The group Libertad para Morir, which aims to bring a medical assistance initiative for dying to the Mexico City Congress, has extended its deadline for collecting signatures until December of this year. Originally set to gather 20,000 signatures between June and July with the goal of submitting the proposal during the legislative session in September, the organization now plans to submit the project by February 2027. Asunción Álvarez del Río, spokesperson and member of the Libertad para Morir promotion committee, stated that they have collected 4,000 signatures so far and remain confident they can reach their target within the next five months. In an interview with El Universal, Álvarez del Río explained that the initiative requires support equivalent to 0.25% of the city’s voter registry to be presented to the local congress. The proposal seeks to allow individuals suffering from serious or incurable illnesses the right to end their lives under medical supervision. She emphasized that many people living with severe illness feel their quality of life is unbearable and view death as a form of relief, though it would require direct medical assistance through medication and trained personnel. She noted that the term “medical assistance for dying” was chosen because it encompasses two methods: euthanasia, where a physician directly causes death, and assisted suicide, where patients receive help from medical staff to self-administer medications leading to death. Although the group intends to present the proposal to the Mexico City Congress by early 2027, Álvarez del Río mentioned they are open to engaging with legislators who might support the initiative in the coming stages. However, she clarified that there are currently no formal agreements in place, and the team is focused on reaching the signature goal. The group invited interested individuals to visit their website, https://libertadparamorir.com.mx/, to learn more about the initiative and find guidance on how to sign up. In Mexico City, since 2008, the Ley de Voluntad Anticipada has been in effect, allowing citizens to specify in advance which treatments they accept or reject if they suffer from a terminal illness or near the end of life. The extension of the signature period reflects the ongoing efforts of the Libertad para Morir collective to build public support for a legally recognized process that allows terminally ill individuals to make decisions about their end-of-life care. While the current focus is on gathering enough signatures to meet the required threshold, the group remains committed to ensuring the initiative is both legally sound and ethically grounded. They continue to emphasize the need for transparency and legal protection for both the individual seeking assistance and the medical professionals providing it. With the new deadline approaching, the group is encouraging members of the public to participate and share the cause. Their work highlights a growing debate around end-of-life choices in Mexico, reflecting broader discussions about autonomy, ethics, and the role of government in regulating such sensitive matters. As the campaign progresses, further developments are expected, including potential engagement with lawmakers and continued outreach to expand awareness and support for the initiative.