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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.
It was hailed by most political parties but criticised by
Italian bishops.
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.
Fabo's parents and even the prosecutor in the case were moved
to tears by a video of Fabo's suffering shown in court
Wednesday.
The Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) slammed the newly
approved law.
CEI Health Office Director Father Massimo Angelelli told ANSA
the law "seems not very effective in safeguarding those who
suffer".
He said "there are many uncertainties in the applicability of
this law".
In Father Angelelli's view, "the judgement is not positive,
we cannot recognise ourselves in this text."
He said the law "safeguards doctors by relieving them of all
responsibility, safeguards public health facilities, tries to
reduce defensive medicine by transferring onto the patient the
burden of responsibility of choices, but it seems not very
effective in safeguarding people who are suffering".
There was, however, very little criticism from Catholic MPs -
despite the fact that the Vatican's teaching on end-of-life
issues, recently reaffirmed by Pope Francis, does not include
hydration and nutrition among the over-zealous or obstinate
practices to be avoided.
Catholic lawmakers did, however, warn that the law should not
lead to the approval of euthanasia.
"This is not euthanasia and the distinctions must be
maintained," said Health Minster Betarice Lorenzin.
But a Catholic pro-life group, ProVita Onlus, said "at the
March 4 general election we will remember the politicians and
parties that voted for this death-dealing and Nazi law".
The group said that euthanasia "has now been legalised in
Italy".
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