Father fights to stop daughter’s euthanasia in Spanish court
A Spanish court is set to hear a groundbreaking case today, as a 23-year-old woman named Noelia fights for her right to die through voluntary euthanasia. The case has sparked intense legal, ethical, and religious debates in Spain, marking the first time a court has been asked to rule on such a request.
Noelia, who was left paraplegic after a failed suicide attempt in 2022, has been fighting for the right to end her life under Spain’s euthanasia law, which was passed in 2021. She has received unanimous support from the regional government of Catalonia’s euthanasia guarantee and evaluation board, which approved her request in July 2024. However, her father, with the backing of the conservative campaign group Christian Lawyers (Abogados Cristianos), successfully halted the procedure at the last minute in August through legal objections.
“I want to finish with dignity once and for all,” Noelia told the court on Tuesday, arguing that she had endured immense suffering since her injury. She also claimed she had been subjected to coercion by religious groups attempting to dissuade her from seeking euthanasia, citing incidents where religious symbols, crosses, and images had been placed in her care facility.
Under Spanish law, euthanasia is permitted when a person is suffering from an incurable condition that causes unbearable pain or distress. The law allows individuals to voluntarily request the procedure, ensuring that they are mentally competent to make such a decision. Noelia’s request was reviewed by multiple medical professionals, all of whom supported her right to die.
Despite the medical consensus, Noelia’s father remains staunchly opposed to her decision. He argues that his daughter is suffering from a personality disorder that impairs her judgment and that the state has a duty to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly young people with mental health challenges.
Additionally, he has stated that she has responded positively to rehabilitation treatments, suggesting that her condition could improve. His legal team has further argued that Noelia has changed her mind about euthanasia multiple times, raising concerns about the stability of her decision.
The public prosecutor has not taken a definitive stance on the case, instead urging the judge to carefully consider expert testimony before making a ruling. Among those scheduled to testify in court are a neuro-rehabilitation specialist, a psychiatric expert, and a member of the euthanasia board that approved Noelia’s request.
Spain’s euthanasia law, introduced in 2021, has been implemented in several cases, but this is the first instance in which a judge has been asked to intervene. Legal experts suggest that the ruling could set an important precedent for future cases involving euthanasia and mental health considerations.
A similar case last year saw a Barcelona magistrate reject a father’s attempt to prevent his 54-year-old son from undergoing euthanasia after receiving approval from the evaluation board. However, Noelia’s case is unique due to her young age and the opposition from her immediate family.
As the court proceedings unfold, Spain finds itself at the center of a wider ethical and legal debate on the right to die, personal autonomy, and the role of the state in protecting vulnerable individuals. The judge’s ruling, expected in the coming weeks, could have significant implications for euthanasia laws and the rights of those seeking to end their suffering legally.