The bill prepared by the Ministry, which recognizes the right to euthanasia for children under the age of 12 who have no hope of recovery, received the support of the parliamentary majority.
The Dutch government is preparing to grant euthanasia to children under the age of 12 who suffer unbearable pain and have no hope of recovery.
The regulation prepared by the Ministry of Health and agreed by the government partners is expected to be submitted to the council of ministers.
In the Netherlands, the first country in the world to accept euthanasia, since 2002, those with incurable diseases have been allowed to die under certain conditions. However, this application only covers individuals aged 12 and over. As a result of the insistence of pediatricians in the Netherlands, the government sought the opinion of the competent authorities on granting the right to euthanasia for children under the age of 12. Experts suggested that children aged 1-12 years should be given the right to die, for whom care and treatment in the last stage of life is insufficient.
The regulation prepared by the Ministry of Health does not cover children up to 1 year old.
The majority of the parliament supported the bill.
Informing the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, government sources reported that the new regulation is expected to be approved by the council of ministers today.
The four parties forming the coalition government agreed on the legal arrangement, which received the approval of physician organizations.
Approximately five children under the age of 12 will benefit from the regulation, which is supported by the parliamentary majority.
The right to euthanasia will cover children who have sustained epileptic attacks and are expected to die in the foreseeable future.
According to the regulation, both parents will have to agree on euthanasia in cases where it is assumed that the child cannot express what he or she wants.
The child’s doctor will also have to consult with at least one independent physician to decide on euthanasia.
Belgium is the first country in this field
Belgium became the first country to allow children under the age of 12 to die. In 2014, the government granted euthanasia to children under the age of 12 who had no hope of recovery and were suffering greatly.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, became the first country in 2002 to grant euthanasia to those over the age of 12 who had no hope of recovery and suffered so much.
In the Netherlands, 7 thousand 666 people aged 12 and over who had no hope of recovery in 2021, and 8 thousand 720 people in 2022 used the people to die of their own accord.