Euthanasia will be possible in the Netherlands for children under 12 years of age

Euthanasia for the children under 12 who suffer intolerable suffering and incurable, demanded for years by pediatricians, will be possible in the Netherlands, the Government announced this Friday.

Aid to die will be possible “when it is the only reasonable alternative for a doctor of put an end to desperate suffering and unbearable for the child”, stressed the Dutch Minister of Health, Ernst Kuipers, in a letter to Parliament.

Euthanasia is now legal in the Netherlands for those over the age of 12 who can give their consent, and for babies under one year with the consent of the parents.

In February 2014, Belgium became the first country in the world to authorize euthanasia for minors. “with capacity for discernment”, and without age limit. Following a reassessment of the existing regulation, the Dutch government decided to extend access to euthanasia “to include children from 1 to 12 years of age.”

The regulation should be published this year, according to the government.

Every year in the Netherlands the number of people who resort to euthanasia, 8,700 people last year, according to official figures. Most suffered from cancer in its terminal stage.