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Child euthanized in Netherlands' assisted-dying program was just a baby
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- The Netherlands performed its first euthanasia on a terminally ill child under 12 in 2024, involving a 1-year-old baby with severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.
- The child suffered from multiple severe physical and mental disabilities, with a prognosis of lifelong dependence and high risk of early death due to complications.
- The euthanasia was conducted lawfully under Dutch law, with doctors following strict protocols, including parental consent and consultation with independent physicians.
- The Dutch euthanasia law for children aged 1 to 12 requires unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement, and the physician's actions were reviewed and deemed compliant with legal standards.
- The Netherlands, which legalized euthanasia in 2002, reported over 10,000 assisted deaths in 2024, marking a 3.8% increase, and is among a few countries, including Belgium, that permit euthanasia for children.
