THE NETHERLANDS
Unbearable Suffering, Unbearable Decisions
The Dutch government approved new regulations this week that would allow euthanasia for terminally ill children between the ages of one and 12, the BBC reported Wednesday.
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge cited a study that suggested that new regulations need to be implemented to prevent some children from “suffering hopelessly and unbearably.”
Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands for children above the age of 12 and infants up to their first birthday – both requiring parental consent. However, there is no provision for children between one and 12 who are terminally ill.
The new regulations would not change the present laws: It would exempt doctors from prosecution for carrying out euthanasia on children of that age range.
The issue was extremely controversial in the country’s four-party ruling coalition and was heavily opposed by Christian parties.
The Netherlands legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2002, with neighboring Belgium following suit a few months later.
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