The approval of the end-of-life law marks an important achievement for San Marino, though the work is not yet complete. The Emma Rossi Association has welcomed the vote by the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale), which gave unanimous approval to the popular initiative bill submitted on 19 December.
For the Association, the measure represents a step forward on the right to self-determination, providing greater clarity on patients’ ability to choose their medical treatments — including through advance directives — and on the right to receive appropriate care in the final stages of life.
The outcome is seen as a starting point rather than a conclusion. The Association acknowledges the efforts made by political forces to reach a broad agreement, while noting that some amendments introduced during the parliamentary process did not improve upon the original text.
Attention now turns to the delegated decrees needed to make the law fully operational, particularly those concerning the model for advance healthcare directives and the procedures for organ donation.
The Emma Rossi Association has announced it will closely monitor compliance with the established timeline, to ensure the new provisions are put into concrete practice.
The statement also includes thanks to the citizens who signed the initiative and to the Grand and General Council. Special recognition goes to the RETE Movement, which withdrew its own proposal to help secure approval of a shared text — a decision the Association described as an act of political generosity.
Finally, the Association dedicated the law’s approval to the memory of Dr. Lamberto Emiliani, who passed away recently and had contributed advice and support in drafting the bill, later approved under the title “Living Will and Human Dignity in the Final Stage of Life” (“Testamento biologico e dignità della persona nella fase finale della vita”).
