Netherlands confirms unprecedented euthanasia procedure for children under 12 years old, carried out in 2023
The Dutch government made public the first case of euthanasia carried out on a child under 12 years of age. The procedure, which took place last year, represents a milestone in the country’s legislation and was recently revealed by the Minister of Health, Sophie Hermans, in a letter sent to parliament.
The publicity of this event highlights the complexity and sensitivity of Dutch euthanasia laws, which have been expanded to include this age group. The specific case is now under analysis by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will verify whether all legal requirements were strictly complied with by the responsible doctor.
New details about the unprecedented procedure
Despite the official confirmation, Minister Sophie Hermans’ communication did not detail the exact age of the child involved, nor information about her health status. Euthanasia was carried out in 2023, but the news only came to light this Monday (22).
This is the first procedure of its kind since Dutch law was changed to allow euthanasia for patients under 12 years of age. The rigidity of the process is a crucial point, requiring that the patient’s suffering be unbearable and without any prospect of improvement.
Evolution of Dutch legislation on euthanasia
The Netherlands is one of the few countries that has legalized euthanasia, allowing it under strict conditions since 2002. Before 2024, legislation already authorized the procedure for people aged 12 and over, as long as they met strict criteria.
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The amendment to the law, which came into force in 2024, extended the possibility to children under 12 years of age, expanding the ethical and moral debate around the right to life and assisted death. The decision to expand the law was preceded by extensive discussions about cases of terminally ill children and extreme suffering.
Mandatory requirements for euthanasia in minors
For euthanasia to be carried out on children, Dutch legislation imposes a series of essential conditions. The patient must present unbearable suffering without any hope of improvement, as attested by several doctors.
It is important to highlight that the procedure is not permitted in situations where the person simply no longer wishes to live or believes that their life has come to an end. The focus is on the irreversible medical condition and the relief of extreme and prolonged suffering, aspects that the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office will now investigate in the disclosed case.
