Calderon, Mexico's president, must sign the bill before it is enacted into law [AFP]

The senate voted on Tuesday for the bill that had already been approved by the lower house of parliament.

The bill must now be signed into law by Felipe Calderon, the country's president.

The measure was unanimously approved by the senate with one abstention.

The approved bill could change an existing law from 2007, which enables patients suffering incurable diseases and a life expectancy of under six months to sign a document before witnesses suspending treatment if medicines cannot provide a cure.

The bill, however, does not legalise mercy killing or assisted suicide, senators said.

The move was supported by the ruling conservative National Action Party, but is likely to face strong opposition from church leaders.

Mexico is the world's second-largest Roman Catholic nation and the church has opposed similar right-to-die legislation.

Mexico City, the Mexican capital, has become a vanguard of liberalism in Latin America by backing gay civil unions and abortion.

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