Eluana Englaro

File:Eluana Englaro.jpg

File:Eluana Englaro.jpg

en

Beppino Englaro, father of Eluana

Eluana Englaro (25 November 1970 – 9 February 2009) was an Italian woman who became the centre of a high-profile right to die case in Italy. After being in a persistent vegetative state for 17 years, following a car accident in 1992, her father's request to have her feeding tube removed was granted by the Italian Supreme Court in 2009, sparking a nationwide debate on euthanasia and the rights of individuals with severe brain damage.

Background

Eluana Englaro's life changed drastically on the night of 18 January 1992, when she was involved in a car accident that left her in a persistent vegetative state, a condition she would remain in for the rest of her life. Despite initial hopes for recovery, Englaro showed no significant signs of improvement over the years, leading her family to conclude that she would not have wanted to live in such a state.

Legal Battle

The legal battle to have Englaro's feeding tube removed began in 1999 and lasted for a decade. Her father, Beppino Englaro, sought the courts' permission to stop artificial nutrition and hydration, arguing that this would respect Eluana's own wishes, as she had expressed a desire not to be kept alive artificially before her accident. The case went through various levels of the Italian judiciary, facing numerous appeals and sparking a widespread public and political debate.

In July 2008, the Court of Cassation, Italy's highest court, ruled in favor of removing Englaro's feeding tube, stating that continuing life support would violate her right to dignity. This landmark decision was met with opposition from various quarters, including the Vatican and some members of the Italian government, leading to attempts to pass emergency legislation to keep Englaro alive. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Death and Aftermath

Eluana Englaro was transferred to a private clinic in Udine, where her feeding tube was removed on 6 February 2009. She passed away three days later, on 9 February 2009, from dehydration.

Her death reignited the debate on euthanasia in Italy, with some viewing it as a victory for personal freedom and the right to die, while others saw it as a dangerous precedent. The case has had a lasting impact on the discussion of end-of-life issues in Italy, leading to calls for clearer legislation on the matter.

Legacy

Eluana Englaro's case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over euthanasia and the rights of individuals in persistent vegetative states. It has prompted discussions on the ethical, legal, and moral implications of end-of-life decisions and the importance of living wills and advanced directives.