Netherlands euthanizes child under 12 in first case since major law change

A terminally ill child under the age of 12 was euthanized in the Netherlands for the first time — two years after a major change to the country’s assisted dying laws came into force.

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans said the “incurably ill” child died last year, but didn’t reveal details about their age or illness during her annual report presentation to the House of Representatives on Monday, according to NOS.

Prosecutors will now decide whether the doctor involved in the case acted legally, Hermans revealed in a letter to the lawmakers.

A child under the age of 12 was euthanized for the first time in the Netherlands. Nutthavee – stock.adobe.com

The Dutch government legalized euthanasia for severely ill children between the ages of 1 and 12 in 2024.

“Euthanasia is only allowed for patients whose unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement has a medical dimension,” the government says.

“This can be the case with somatic diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, but also with psychiatric disorders, dementia or multiple geriatric syndromes.”

Euthanasia is not permitted “in cases where a person is ‘finished with life’ or deems their life to be ‘completed,'” according to the Dutch government.

Doctors must consult a six point checklist before deciding whether to end a patient’s life under the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act.

First, they must rule that the patient is not under duress and decide whether their “suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement,” according to the government.

They must have informed the patient about their illness, and conclude there’s “no reasonable alternative.”

Physicians must also consult with an independent doctor, as well as exercise due care and attention throughout the process.

For children under 12, parents must give their consent.

Sophie Hermans, the country’s health minister, speaking to the press after a cabinet meeting in the Hague in May. ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Government ministers said at the time the law change would apply to around five to 10 children, who suffer unbearably from their illnesses.

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

Euthanasia was already legal for babies under 1 and children over 12, but kids between those ages could only die via palliative sedation or naturally.

For children between the ages of 12 and 15, parents or guardians must consent to the process, but this doesn’t apply in cases involving 16 and 17-year-olds.

They must be consulted, but their consent is not necessary, according to the Dutch government.

Doctors who perform euthanasia unlawfully risk up to 12 years in prison, and could also be slapped with a fine.

In 2002, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia under strict conditions. All cases of euthanasia must be reported to medical review boards.

The Netherlands isn’t the first country to allow doctor-assisted death for children of all ages. Belgium has allowed it since 2014.

Last year, 10,341 deaths by assisted suicide or euthanasia were reported in the Netherlands, according to the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees. This was a 3.8% rise compared to 2024. 

Around 85% of cases involved patients battling illnesses such as cancer and lung disease. Three in every four cases involved people over 70.

There was only one teenager – aged between 12 and 18 – who died from euthanasia.

Meanwhile, in the UK, a proposed bill that would’ve allowed terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives failed to clear the House of Lords – even though it was backed by elected parliamentarians.

The bill failed in April after parliamentary time ran out following an effective filibuster by those in the UK’s upper chamber.

With Post wires.