LIMA, Peru. Ana Estrada, a Peruvian psychologist who waged a years-long legal battle for the right to die with dignity, passed away via euthanasia due to her incurable illness, her lawyer confirmed on Monday. Estrada’s decision marks a milestone in Peru as she becomes the first person in the country to exercise the right to die with medical assistance.
Estrada, 47, suffered from polymyositis, a degenerative disease that gradually weakened her muscles, rendering her bedridden for several years. Despite her condition, she remained determined to assert her autonomy over her life and medical choices, garnering attention and support in a nation where euthanasia and assisted suicide remain illegal.
In a significant legal victory in 2022, Peru’s Supreme Court granted Estrada an exception, upholding a lower court’s ruling that affirmed her right to determine the timing of her death without fear of legal repercussions for herself or those who assisted her.
Reflecting on Estrada’s legacy, her lawyer Josefina Miró Quesada stated, “Ana’s struggle for her right to die with dignity has helped to educate thousands of Peruvians about this right and the importance of defending it. Her struggle transcended our nation’s borders.”
Estrada’s journey with polymyositis began in her teenage years, progressively confining her to a wheelchair by the age of 20. Despite her physical limitations, she pursued a career in psychology, achieving independence and even maintaining a blog titled “Ana for a Death with Dignity,” where she candidly shared her experiences and perspectives.
“I am no longer free,” she lamented in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press. “I am not the same person I was before.”
Supported by Peru’s Human Rights Ombudsman, Estrada navigated legal proceedings from her bed via video conferencing, advocating for the right to euthanasia as a means to alleviate her suffering when it became unbearable.
“I want to accede to euthanasia when I can no longer sustain suffering in life,” she expressed to judges in 2022. “And when I decide to bid farewell to my loved ones in peace and with tranquility.”
Euthanasia remains a contentious issue globally, with only a handful of countries, such as Canada, Belgium, and Spain, legalizing it. In the United States, some states permit physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Latin America has seen limited progress, with Colombia legalizing euthanasia in 2015 and Ecuador decriminalizing the practice in February.
Estrada’s courageous advocacy and ultimate decision have sparked conversations not only within Peru but also around the world, challenging societal perceptions and legal frameworks regarding end-of-life care and individual autonomy.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
