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November 28, 2013

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Euthanasia for children step closer in Belgium

Source: Agencies | November 28, 2013, Thursday | Print Edition

Belgium came a step closer to introducing the right to grant euthanasia for terminally ill children yesterday, when a parliamentary committee voted it through by a large majority.

The law, which still has to go to a vote of the full parliament that analysts say is likely to pass, would make Belgium the first country in the world to remove the age limit for the procedure.

Safeguards would, however, exist, and parents would have to approve their child’s decision to die.

“This is an important step, not just for the minors themselves, but also for the doctors who are confronted with such situations,” said Senator Jean-Jacques De Gucht from the Flemish liberals, one of the backers of the law.

The Netherlands, a neighboring country, already allows euthanasia for children as young as 12, although only five cases have been recorded since 2002.

Belgium would go further by removing any reference to age. The Belgian law instead requires that a psychologist evaluate the child’s ability to choose to die.

However, the move’s opponents have said it is impossible to determine whether a child is able to take such a decision.

“They sometimes say that age limits are arbitrary but trying to judge whether a minor is able to make such a decision is even more arbitrary,” said Senator Els Van Hoof, of the Flemish Christian Democrats.

Belgium is already one of the most liberal countries when it comes to euthanasia, making it available to adults who are not terminally ill.

 

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