Netherlands widens euthanasia laws to include children under 12

The Jerusalem Post reports: “The Netherlands will now allow euthanasia of terminally ill children between the ages of one and 12, according to a report by the Guardian earlier this week.

The Dutch government said that this would only apply to up to 10 children a year and only for children who have no hope of recovery and who aren’t helped by palliative care.

‘The end of life for this group is the only reasonable alternative to the child’s unbearable and hopeless suffering,’ said the government in a statement.

Euthanasia for adults and newborn babies with terminal illnesses was already allowed in the Netherlands, but this new rule makes the country the second in the world after Belgium to allow euthanasia of kids up to the age of 12.

Minors over the age of 12 could request euthanasia with a guardian’s consent being required until 16…”

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