Netherlands legalizes euthanasia for children under 12
Netherlands Allows Euthanasia for Children Under 12
In the Netherlands, children under the age of 12 may soon be given the right to die in cases where medical care and treatment are unable to provide a solution. The Ministry of Health has prepared a legal regulation with the approval of physician organizations, outlining the conditions under which a child may be granted the right to euthanasia.
Under the new regulation, the right to assisted suicide will be made available to children who are expected to die in the near future due to a terminal illness or incurable condition. In cases where the child is unable to make a decision on their own, the agreement of both parents will be required before euthanasia can be carried out.
To ensure that the decision to grant euthanasia is taken with utmost care, the patient’s doctor will be required to consult with at least one independent physician before proceeding with the procedure.
The legal arrangement agreed by the four parties forming the coalition government in the Netherlands is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers. If approved, the regulation will mean that the Netherlands will become the first country in the world to allow voluntary euthanasia for children under the age of 12.
However, the move has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that such a decision could have far-reaching consequences and may be open for abuse. Meanwhile, others have welcomed the move as a necessary and compassionate step towards alleviating the suffering of terminally ill children.
