Woman Denied Assisted Suicide in Italy Dies in Switzerland

() - ROME, JULY 31 - Martina Oppelli, a 50-year-old woman from Trieste living with multiple sclerosis, who was previously refused assistance in ending her life in Italy on three occasions, died by choice at a Swiss clinic on Thursday, according to the Luca Coscioni right-to-die organization. Oppelli’s request for help in dying was turned down in Italy because officials claimed her condition didn’t meet the requirement of being dependent on “treatments of vital support,” one of several criteria outlined in a 2019 court decision allowing physician-assisted suicide under specific circumstances. Prior to passing away, Oppelli addressed Italian legislators through a recorded statement urging them to create laws enabling individuals like herself to conclude their lives peacefully. "To members of Parliament and my fellow countrymen… Over a year ago I asked each of you to enact and approve a reasonable law regulating end-of-life decisions, ensuring dignity for those who are ill or aging," she mentioned. "Each form of pain is significant and deserves respect—enact such a thoughtful law." Following the 2019 judgment, the Constitutional Court urged Parliament to address the lack of clear regulations regarding end-of-life matters in Italy. Supporters of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration introduced a proposal earlier this month aimed at implementing guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court. This includes factors like having an incurable illness, experiencing severe physical or mental distress, relying on medical interventions for survival, and possessing full comprehension of the consequences of one's actions.().