Mexico Opens Debate on Euthanasia

Mexico opens the debate on euthanasia towards a law for a dignified death. Espinosa Rugarcía points out that the biggest barrier is fear: fear of judgment, rejection, and above all, of conversation. 'In Mexico, death is only spoken of on the Day of the Dead, but not of real death,' she said. 'Euthanasia cannot exist without palliative care, but also without post-mortem care,' she emphasized. The death of her daughter marked a turning point in her vision of dignity. Based on that experience, she expanded DMD's work to defend the humane treatment of bodies, emotional support for families, and the promotion of dialogue about death as a natural part of life. 'Dignified death does not mean the same for everyone — she explains. — Because in that dialogue, one also learns to live better.' In 2009, DMD conducted its first national survey, which revealed a surprising finding: over 70% of Mexicans supported the legalization of medically assisted death. Years later, a second survey confirmed that public support remained stable, regardless of religious beliefs. 'There was an initial reluctance. Many agreed, but few dared to show their faces,' she said. Despite majority social support, assisted death remains a taboo topic in the Mexican public sphere. According to DMD's founder, resistance comes not from society, but from religious hierarchies and certain power groups. Founded in 2008, DMD was born as an organization dedicated to promoting the right to a voluntary, accompanied, and painless death, under ethical and medical criteria. Espinosa Rugarcía's final message is as simple as it is transformative: 'We must dare to see death as something that will come, to talk about it with those we love and decide how we want to live and die.'