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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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'Italy's Terri Schiavo' Dies

Lawmakers were debating PM's bill against euthanasia when news broke

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(Newser) – A woman who sparked debate over right-to-die laws in Italy has died after 17 years in a coma, the Times of London reports. Italian lawmakers, led by PM Silvio Berlusconi, were debating an emergency bill to keep Eluana Englaro alive at the time. The law would forbid carers of those "unable to take care of themselves" to stop artificial feeding.

Berlusconi expressed “deep pain and regret” over Englaro’s death, and said most Italians felt the same, despite polls showing them evenly divided on the issue. A Vatican official supported him, saying, “May the Lord forgive them. I will continue to regard her death as a crime.” Eluana Englaro died 4 days after doctors, acting on her father’s wishes, removed her feeding apparatus.

Beppino Englaro, father of Eluana Englaro, in 2007.
Beppino Englaro, father of Eluana Englaro, in 2007.   (AP Photo)
Eluana Englaro, who fell into a vegetative state following a car accident in 1992.
Eluana Englaro, who fell into a vegetative state following a car accident in 1992.   (AP Photo)
Health Minister Maurizio Sacconi is comforted by a colleague after the announcement of Eluana Englaro's death.
Health Minister Maurizio Sacconi is comforted by a colleague after the announcement of Eluana Englaro's death.   (AP Photo)
Right-to-die activists hold candles as pro-life activists demonstrate on the opposite side of the road outside La Quiete Clinic, in Udine, northern Italy.
Right-to-die activists hold candles as pro-life activists demonstrate on the opposite side of the road outside La Quiete Clinic, in Udine, northern Italy.   (AP Photo)
Eluana Englaro.
Eluana Englaro.   (AP Photo)
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.   (AP Photo)
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stormy7
Feb 9, 09 6:19 PM CST
Let that poor girl rest in peace. Reply
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Doctor_Zaius
Feb 9, 09 7:51 PM CST
Right wing douche-baggery isn't bound by borders. Reply
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radnip
Feb 10, 09 2:51 AM CST
Don't worry Vatican. Just roll out a map of the world and throw a dart. Whatever piece of land it lands on, there's bound to be lots of suffering people for you to spend money on. There's no shortage of extremely needy people in the world. So don't worry about the dead and hurry and help the living. I know you'll go right this instant. Reply
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