There are reports this evening that a terminally ill minor has been euthanised in Belgium, in what’s believed to be the first enactment of legislation passed in 2014 that allows for children of all ages to be euthanised in certain cases.
It is understood that the minor in question was terminally ill, but no further details have been revealed.
Euthanasia became legal in Belgium in 2002, and an amendment was passed in 2014 enabling doctor-assisted procedures to induce death for minors for whom there is no hope of survival.
To be granted their choice to death, children must be able to make the request themselves. The case is then reviewed by a panel of medical experts and parental consent must be obtained if the request is granted.
There have been a total of 8,752 cases of euthanasia in Belgium since the legislation was first passed, but this is believed to be the first where a minor is involved.