First child euthanised in Belgium after change in law

Rules have been amended to permit doctor-assisted death for minors in a hopeless medical situation

The Belgian Parliament passed the change in law in 2014 (Nicolas Maeterlinck/AFP/Getty)

A minor has been euthanised in Belgium in what is the first application of rules adopted by the country in 2014 allowing doctor-assisted death for children of all ages, the head of the national committee for euthanasia said on Saturday.

Wim Distelmans, who chairs Belgium's Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia, said in an emailed statement that the first case was reported to his committee by a local doctor last week. The underage person was reported as being critically ill but no other information was given.

“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,” Mr Distelmans told the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper.

The case occurred in Flemish-speaking Belgium, according to broadcaster RTBF.

Belgium legalised euthanasia in 2002, and two years ago amended the rules - after fierce debate - to permit doctor-assisted death for minors “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.

Belgium is the only country in the world allowing euthanasia on minors of all ages. In the neighbouring Netherlands the practice is possible for children aged at least 12.

Between 2003 and 2013, the number of patients being euthanised in Belgium rose nearly eight-fold to a total number of 8,752 cases, according to records of the national euthanasia control committee.

Reuters