A child younger than 12 who was terminally ill has been euthanized in the Netherlands, marking the first known case since the country expanded its assisted dying rules for young children two years ago.
Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans confirmed that the “incurably ill” child died last year. Speaking during the presentation of her annual report to the House of Representatives on Monday, she did not disclose the child’s exact age or medical condition, NOS reported.
In a letter to lawmakers, Hermans said prosecutors will review the case to determine whether the doctor who carried out the procedure acted within the law.
The Netherlands legalized euthanasia for gravely ill children between the ages of 1 and 12 in 2024, extending access under tightly controlled circumstances.
Under Dutch government rules, “euthanasia is only allowed for patients whose unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement has a medical dimension.”
Officials say that standard may apply to physical illnesses such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, as well as psychiatric disorders, dementia or multiple geriatric syndromes.
The government stresses, however, that euthanasia is not allowed simply because someone feels they are “finished with life” or believes their life is “completed.”
Before ending a patient’s life, doctors are required to follow a six-point checklist under the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act.
First, they must rule that the patient is not under duress and decide whether their “suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement,” according to the government.
They must have informed the patient about their illness, and conclude there’s “no reasonable alternative.”
Physicians must also consult with an independent doctor, as well as exercise due care and attention throughout the process.
For children under 12, parents must give their consent.
Government ministers said at the time the law change would apply to around five to 10 children, who suffer unbearably from their illnesses.
“The end of life for this group is the only reasonable alternative to the child’s unbearable and hopeless suffering,” the government said.
Euthanasia was already legal for babies under 1 and children over 12, but kids between those ages could only die via palliative sedation or naturally.
For children between the ages of 12 and 15, parents or guardians must consent to the process, but this doesn’t apply in cases involving 16 and 17-year-olds.
They must be consulted, but their consent is not necessary, according to the Dutch government.
Doctors who perform euthanasia unlawfully risk up to 12 years in prison, and could also be slapped with a fine.
In 2002, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia under strict conditions. All cases of euthanasia must be reported to medical review boards.
The Netherlands isn’t the first country to allow doctor-assisted death for children of all ages. Belgium has allowed it since 2014.
Last year, 10,341 deaths by assisted suicide or euthanasia were reported in the Netherlands, according to the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees. This was a 3.8% rise compared to 2024.
Around 85% of cases involved patients battling illnesses such as cancer and lung disease. Three in every four cases involved people over 70.
There was only one teenager – aged between 12 and 18 – who died from euthanasia.
Meanwhile, in the UK, a proposed bill that would’ve allowed terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives failed to clear the House of Lords – even though it was backed by elected parliamentarians.
The bill failed in April after parliamentary time ran out following an effective filibuster by those in the UK’s upper chamber.
With Post wires.
