Italy woman sent to clinic to die

[__Kratos__]

A woman at the centre of the right-to-die debate in Italy has been moved to a clinic where she will be allowed to die after 17 years in a vegetative state.

Eluana Englaro was transferred by ambulance overnight to the private facility in the northern city of Udine.

The Vatican and anti-euthanasia groups have strongly opposed the move.

In November, Italy's highest court ruled Ms Englaro's feeding tubes could be withdrawn, but the health ministry then warned state clinics not to do it.

On Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI added his voice to the debate about euthanasia, calling it a "false solution" to the tragedy of suffering.

"The true response cannot be to give death, even if it is seemingly more soothing, but to show the love that can help people face pain and agony in a human way," he said in his weekly address.

But the pope did not mention Ms Englaro, 37, who has been in a permanent vegetative state since a car crash in 1992.

Her father, Beppino, has been battling with the courts in Italy to let her die since 1999, insisting it was her wish.

Court battle

The ambulance carrying Ms Englaro left the Catholic clinic in the northern town of Lecco, near Milan, at around 0130 (0030 GMT).

A small crowd of anti-euthanasia activists gathered outside the building and tried to prevent the vehicle from leaving. Some of the protesters shouted "Eluana, wake up", and "Don't kill her".

More of the article here: Link

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Glad to see she's finally going to get her wish to control her own life.

[Unknown Rebel]

If it was the woman's wish then im glad this is the outcome, what right does the Pope/Vatican and Protesters have who have no connection with either the woman or the family voicing opinions is one thing but trying to prevent the ambulance from leaving the hospital is quite another.