First mercy killing of minor in Belgium

BRUSSELS: A terminally ill 17-year-old has become the first minor to be euthanised in Belgium since age restrictions on such mercy killings in the country were lifted in 2014, it was learned Saturday.

“The euthanasia has taken place,” Jacqueline Herremans, a member of Belgium’s federal euthanasia commission, told AFP.

She added that the assisted death had taken place according to Belgian law.

Wim Distelmans, head of the euthanasia commission, gave no detailsoftheminorinvolvedbeyond saying it was an exceptional case of a child with a terminal illness, the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper reported.

VRT public television said the incident involved an adolescent who was about to turn 18.

“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,”

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. Jacqueline Herremans, a member of Belgium’s federal euthanasia commission

Distelmans told the newspaper.

Since 2014, when its euthanasia legislation was amended, Belgium has been the only country in the world that allows terminally-ill children of any age to choose to end their suffering — as long as they are conscious and capable of making rational decisions.

The Netherlands also allows mercy killings for children, but only for those aged over 12.

The Belgian amendment, which was passed after heated debate — notably over the meaning of a ‘capacity of discernment’ — offers the possibility of euthanasia to children ‘in a hopeless medical situation of constant and unbearable suffering that cannot be eased and which will cause death in the short term’.

Any request for euthanasia must be made by the minor, be studied by a team of doctors and an independent psychiatrist or psychologist, and have parental consent.

When amending the law, Belgian legislators had decided not to include psychological suffering in the list of factors determining whether euthanasia may be allowed for minors, though it is admissable for adults.

The 2014 vote was passed by 86 lawmakers in favour and a 44 against, in the traditionally Catholic nation.

A poll which was taken a few months before the final parliamentary vote indicated that three-quarters of Belgians were in favour of extending euthanasia to minors. — AFP