Eutanasia en Ecuador, legalización de la muerte digna a través del desarrollo normativo-jurisprudencial

Abstract

Abstract:This research analyzes the legalization of euthanasia in Ecuador, with a focus on the normative and jurisprudential developments that led to Constitutional Court Ruling No. 67-23- IN/24. The ruling decriminalized euthanasia under certain conditions and recognized the right to a dignified death as an expression of autonomy and human dignity. The article examines the evolution of fundamental rights within the framework of the state established in the 2008 Constitution as a constitutional state of rights and justice. It highlights the conflicts between traditional Ecuadorian societal values and individual human freedom. Within this research framework, Ecuador's legal advances, such as the unconstitutionality of Article 144 of the COIP (Código Orgánico Integral Penal), are analyzed and compared with international precedents in Colombia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Remaining challenges include creating clear regulations, overcoming cultural resistance, and ensuring equitable access. This research underscores the urgent need for a regulatory framework that ensures respect for human dignity throughout life, promoting the ethical and equitable application of euthanasia.