Euthanasia granted in Spain after legal battle with father: Tried suicide after rape, was in wheelchair for three years

In Spain, 25-year-old Noelia Castillo ended her life through euthanasia on Thursday after a long legal battle. Noelia also had to fight a legal battle with her father for euthanasia as he was against it. Noelia, a resident of Barcelona, ​​was raped by 3 youths in a facility center in 2022. After this Noelia tried to commit suicide and jumped from the fifth floor. Although she survived the incident, she suffered a severe spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Since then she was continuously suffering from physical pain and mental stress. Noelia had applied for euthanasia in 2024, which was also approved by the Catalonia government. But at the last moment his father lodged an objection in the court and got the process stopped. Noelia was sexually abused several times in the foster home. She was not able to live well with her parents in her childhood. He had mental problems and his parents were also divorced. Due to problems in the family, the government placed him in a foster home at the age of 13, so that he could be taken care of. She then began living in the same care facility, where she alleged multiple abuses. According to media reports, she was sexually abused there several times and last time in 2022, she was gang-raped by three boys. Euthanasia was allowed, father opposed. Noelia’s mental condition worsened after the rape incident. Frustrated by this, she jumped from the fifth floor, but was saved. After this attempt, she started being in constant pain and was confined to a wheelchair. About 18 months later, he received permission to end his life under Spain’s euthanasia law, which came into force in 2021. But his attempt to get euthanasia was opposed by his father and an ultra-conservative group called ‘Christian Lawyers’. He said that Noelia’s mental condition is not such that she can take the right decision to end her life. The case continued in the court for one and a half years. The case of Noelia’s euthanasia went to the court and the legal battle started. This case continued in different courts for about one and a half years. During this, doctors and medical experts also gave their opinion. He told that Noelia’s condition is very serious, she has constant severe pain and the chances of her recovery are very less. The agency associated with the government also accepted his demand and gave permission for euthanasia. Despite this, his father challenged the decision, due to which the case moved forward. Eventually the case reached the European Court of Human Rights. There it was seen whether Noelia is mentally capable of taking her own decisions, whether there is any kind of pressure on her and whether her demand is justified under the law. After considering all the aspects, the court accepted that Noelia has the right to decide about her life. After this decision, the way for his euthanasia was completely cleared and it was carried out as per the prescribed procedure. Father’s argument – Daughter is not mentally healthy and as per Noelia’s wish, she was given ‘assisted death’. Three injections were given in the process of euthanasia. The first two induced deep unconsciousness and the third injection caused cardiac arrest. Noelia had said that she wanted to be alone at the time of her death and did not want anyone to see her in her last moments. Euthanasia of 1,123 people in 3 years According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of Spain, from June 2021 (when this law came into force) to the end of 2024, 1,123 people have undergone assisted death. Noelia’s case is also being considered special because for the first time such a long and big legal battle was seen over a person’s right to euthanasia. In a TV interview recorded a few days before her death, Noelia defended her decision, saying it was her own decision. Who can get euthanasia in Spain, what is the whole process? In Spain, the right to euthanasia is given only to those adults who are suffering from a ‘serious and incurable disease’ or a ‘serious, chronic and disabling condition’. Along with this, it is also necessary that at the time of applying, the person should be ‘conscious and capable’, that is, he should be in a position to take the decision himself. According to the law, a ‘serious and incurable disease’ is considered to be one in which the patient suffers persistent and unbearable physical or mental pain, for which no effective treatment is possible. It is also seen that due to the disease, the person’s condition is continuously deteriorating and his life span is limited. The process of euthanasia has been kept strict. The applicant has to apply in writing twice. After this, opinion is taken from independent doctors who have not been associated with the case before, so that the entire process remains impartial. Finally a regional committee of experts reviews the entire case and gives final approval. There are two methods of euthanasia under the law in Spain: 1. Direct administration of lethal medication by an authorized health professional 2. Providing the patient with medication that he can take himself to end his life



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