A Peruvian woman suffering from a degenerative illness has died by euthanasia after a lengthy court battle ended in a landmark ruling allowing her to end her life with medical assistance, her lawyer said. For three decades, Ana Estrada lived with a rare incurable disease that weakened her muscles and left her bedridden.

Lima

Ana Estrada, a Peruvian psychologist who battled a rare incurable disease for three decades, has died by euthanasia. Her death came as the conclusion of a lengthy legal struggle, resulting in a groundbreaking court decision that permitted her to end her life with medical assistance, according to statements made by her lawyer. Estrada, who had been left bedridden and dependent on a ventilator due to the degenerative illness weakening her muscles, fought tirelessly for her right to a dignified death.

In 2016, Estrada challenged Peru's legal restrictions on euthanasia by taking her case to court, seeking permission for an assisted death. After six years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court of Peru, in 2022, confirmed a ruling in her favor. This did not legalize assisted dying across the board but specifically exempted the doctor who would assist Estrada in ending her life from any legal ramifications, effectively granting her an individual exemption.

Despite euthanasia being prohibited in Peru — a country with strong Roman Catholic values — and the practice leading to criminal charges for those involved in assisting or performing it, Estrada's case represents a significant departure from traditional norms. Before her death, she had expressed a profound sense of pride and happiness in an interview with Reuters, acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of advocating for the right to a dignified death in Peru. Her pioneering legal battle has brought attention to the topic of euthanasia in regions where it remains largely taboo. In Latin America, only a handful of countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Cuba, have legalized euthanasia under certain circumstances.



Peruvian woman dies by euthanasia after long legal battle

For three decades, Ana Estrada lived with a rare incurable disease that weakened her muscles. She was bedridden and required a ventilator to breathe. The Peruvian psychologist died by euthanasia on Sunday, after a lengthy court battle ended in a landmark ruling allowing her to end her life with medical assistance, her lawyer said. Euthanasia is illegal in Peru. Estrada went to court in 2016 to fight for access to an assisted death. Six years later, in 2022, the nation's Supreme Court confirmed a ruling that gave her an exemption to end her life. While the Supreme Court did not legalise assisted dying, it exempted the doctor who supplied the drug to end Estrada's life from any punishment. Estrada spoke to Reuters months before the landmark ruling. I had never imagined that I was capable of doing this, facing such a complex and delicate issue here in Peru, where there had never been any talk of dignified death or euthanasia. So I feel proud. I feel happy to be accompanied and supported by so many people. Euthanasia is illegal in most countries including Peru, a deeply Roman Catholic country. Under Peruvian law, assisting someone's suicide and killing a terminally ill patient are punishable with prison time. In Latin America, Colombia, Ecuador and Cuba have allowed the practice under certain conditions.

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