The Netherlands, which was the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia, will expand the right-to-die to include children between the ages of 1 and 12, the government announced on Friday after years of debate.

 

The Dutch Health Ministry said the right-to-die will cover a very small group of children who suffer unbearably from a fatal illness, have no hope for improvement and palliative care is insufficient to relieve their suffering.

 

“For this group, termination of life is the only reasonable alternative to end the hopeless and unbearable suffering of the child,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

READ MORE

https://bnonews.com/index.php/2023/04/netherlands-to-legalize-euthanasia-for-children-below-12/

 

Such a difficult subject to even consider. I can't imagine the heart rending pain that parents in such circumstances must endure. I hope counseling is offered through the process and long after.

Euthanasia is fine if you are old enough to make the decision. I assume kids will have difficulty making such a decision.

13 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

Such a difficult subject to even consider. I can't imagine the heart rending pain that parents in such circumstances must endure. I hope counseling is offered through the process and long after.

This concerns around 10 patients per year and the procedure is extremely meticulous involving all concerned.

15 hours ago, Purdey said:

Euthanasia is fine if you are old enough to make the decision. I assume kids will have difficulty making such a decision.

"a very small group of children who suffer unbearably from a fatal illness, have no hope for improvement and palliative care is insufficient to relieve their suffering."

You think they would rather keep suffering unbearably?

5 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"a very small group of children who suffer unbearably from a fatal illness, have no hope for improvement and palliative care is insufficient to relieve their suffering."

You think they would rather keep suffering unbearably?

The article clearly says "right-to-die" thus it is their right if they want it. What it should have said was right-to-kill.

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

The article clearly says "right-to-die" thus it is their right if they want it. What it should have said was right-to-kill.

That doesn't answer my question to you.

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

The article clearly says "right-to-die" thus it is their right if they want it. What it should have said was right-to-kill.

Or the right to relieve the suffering of one incapable of making the choice themselves.