Spain Rejects Father's Euthanasia Challenge

A 25-year-old Spanish woman with a serious and incurable illness that causes her severe, chronic, and debilitating suffering was approved and scheduled for euthanasia on August 2, 2024. But that procedure has been stayed for the past 18 months because but her father has blocked it with court challenges.

Here is a quick recap of the long and cumbersome review process.

1. The Guarantees and Evaluation Commission approved the provision of assisted dying.
2. The Third Section of the Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Catalonia  upheld the Commission, rejecting the father's claims.
3. The First Section of the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal against the judgment of the Catalonia Court.
4. The Spanish Constitutional Court dismissed the appeal filed by a father against the order of the Administrative Chamber.

And it is not over yet. Abogados Cristianos will likely take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. That move is likely futile as Spain has sufficient processes to confirm the patient's capacity to make decisions, her desire for euthanasia, and fulfillment of the other requirements.