First euthanasia for a child under 12 was applied in the Netherlands

Following an amendment to the Netherlands' euthanasia law, the practice of ending a child's life with medical assistance was applied for the first time to a minor under the age of 12, Zamin.uz reports.

This was disclosed in the annual report submitted to parliament by Health Minister Sophie Hermans. According to the minister, the procedure was carried out last year on a child suffering from an incurable illness causing unbearable suffering.

However, details about the child's age and condition have not been disclosed. The actions of the doctor involved in the case are now under investigation by prosecutors to determine whether they complied with the law.

In 2024, the Dutch government approved rules permitting euthanasia for children aged 1 to 12 who are suffering unbearably and have no prospect of improvement. According to the law, the procedure may only be performed when the child's suffering is hopeless and unbearable, and all alternatives have been exhausted.

Doctors must also meet several strict requirements before making a decision: they must assess the child's condition, provide full information, confirm that no other treatment options exist, and obtain an independent second opinion.

For children under 12, parental consent is mandatory. It is estimated that the law could apply to between five and ten children per year.

The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia under strict conditions in 2002. Belgium has since allowed the practice for minors of all ages since 2014.

According to official figures, 10,341 cases of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide were recorded in the Netherlands last year, an increase of 3.8% compared to the previous year.

The legislation is being closely monitored by society.