17-year-old in ‘unbearable Physical Pain’ Becomes First Child to Die by Euthanasia

From Daily Mail: A 17-year-old has become the first child to die by euthanasia in Belgium after the country adopted new rules in 2014. Officials confirmed the death following the announcement to remove age restrictions on euthanasia requests two years ago.

The move has made Belgium the only country where children of any age are able to choose to have the fatal injection. In the neighbouring Netherlands the practice is possible for children aged at least 12. Those aged under 18 in Belgium must do so with their parents’ consent and they need to be in the final stages of a terminal illness.

The law passed by parliament insisted the minor would have to be in ‘unbearable physical suffering’ before euthanasia could be considered.

Dr. Death

And today the head of the national committee for euthanasia discussed the first case. Wim Distelmans, who chairs Belgium’s Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia, said in an emailed statement that the first case was reported to his committee by a local doctor last week. He added that doctors used ‘palliative sedation’, which is when patients are placed in an induced coma.

Mr. Distelmans told the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper: ‘Fortunately there are very few children who are considered [for euthanasia] but that does not mean we should refuse them the right to a dignified death.’

Between 2003 and 2013, the number of patients being euthanised in Belgium rose nearly eight-fold to a total number of 8,752 cases, according to records of the national euthanasia control committee.

In the UK, euthanasia is illegal under English law and is regarded as either manslaughter or murder, with a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment.