Euthanasia laws vary globally. Active euthanasia is permitted in countries like Canada, Australia (some states), Spain, the Netherlands, and select Latin American nations. In contrast, passive euthanasia, where no action is taken to prolong life at the person's request, is legal in most European countries, CIS nations, and Latin America. However, active euthanasia is prohibited in the majority of African and Asian countries, with some regions having unclear regulations.

Kenya stands out for having the strictest laws on euthanasia, explicitly banning all forms of the practice. The only exception is for mentally sound patients who refuse treatment, but even then, this is only permissible under specific circumstances.