Netherlands euthanizes child under 12 in first case since change to assisted dying laws
Health Minister Sophie Hermans said the case was reviewed and referred to prosecutors, as authorities said the child met strict legal criteria.
- A seriously ill child under 12 has died by euthanasia in the Netherlands, marking the first such case since the nation legalized assisted dying for terminally sick children two years ago.
- The procedure is only permissible under strict conditions requiring unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement and parental consent, aimed at allowing children to "die with dignity" if no humane alternative exists.
- Health Minister Sophie Hermans confirmed the death in a letter to Parliament, with the case referred to the Public Prosecution Service after a review committee examined the doctor's actions.
- The Public Prosecution Service must determine if the doctor acted in accordance with the law, while Hermans said the review committee's report will be made public shortly.
- When the rules were changed, officials expected the legislation to apply to a small number of children annually, requiring doctors to persuade authorities that euthanasia is appropriate and no humane alternative exists.
81 Articles
81 Articles
In the Netherlands, for the first time, active euthanasia has been applied to a sick child under 12. It is the first case since the amendment of the law in 2024.
Killing Children: Netherlands Hits New Low With 'Euthanasia' Of First Pre-teen
Not to be outdone by Canada’s spiralling absurdities as MAiD is now the fifth-leading cause of death there, the Dutch have found new depths to which they could sink in their assisted-suicide policy. Think back to when you were 12. That’s 7th grade, give or take. Your whole life is before you. Entire vistas of possible paths lie open before you. You might even begin noticing that the opposite sex has a few more redeeming features that you might h…
'Death is Inevitable'; Netherlands Reveals First Child Under 12 Was Euthanized Under Controversial Law
For the first time in the country’s history, the Netherlands has euthanized a terminally ill child under the age of 12. The move comes two years after the country legalized the “termination of life” of seriously ill and untreatable children under 12. Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans said the “incurably ill” child died last year. She didn’t specify their age or illness during her annual report presentation to the House of Representatives on M…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
