The Senate on Thursday gave
final approval to a bill for living wills with 180 votes in
favour, 71 against and six abstentions.
The definitive green light was met with a big round of
applause in the Upper House.
A living will, also called a directive to physicians or
advance directive, is a document that lets people state their
wishes for end-of-life medical care, in case they become unable
to communicate their decisions.
It may include their stating they do not wish to be
artificially fed and hydrated.
Right-to-die activists have hailed the legislation saying it
has "finally" come eight years after the landmark case of Eluana
Englaro, which split the country.
Premier Paolo Gentiloni tweeted: "Living wills: green light
from the Senate to a civilised choice. A step forward for the
dignity of people".
Speaking in Brussels, the premier added: "Parliament has
taken a decision that allows everyone to take a step forward in
terms of civilisation for the country and dignity for the human
person, and so I'm very satisfied".
Democratic Party deputy leader Maurizio Martina said "it's a
just and historic law".
The widow of right-to-die activist Piergiorgo Welby, Mina,
said "it is just what Piergiorgio had wanted so many years ago,
in 2002.
"Today is a very beautiful day that creates a right to be
treated, to refuse treatment, to choose.
"Of freedom of choice.
"That doesn't mean that if a person wants to come off an
artificial lung machine and feeding, that dones't mean that
they're refusing life but that they've reached a point of great
suffering that is only going to increase.
"The interruption of these treatments, or not accepting them,
means not having more suffering.
"So it is not euthanasia as I have heard (Catholic critics)
say in the last few days.
"Euthanasia is something else.
"But I'd like there to be a law on that too, some time in the
future".
The right-to-die Coscioni Association said "now it's time to
pass a law on euthanasia too".
There have been a number of high-profile cases of Italians
committing assisted suicide in Switzerland.
Coscioni Association activist Marco Cappato is currently on
trial for helping a blind and tetraplegic ex-DJ, Dj Fabo, kill
himself.
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