Protests as Belgium set to legalise euthanasia for children

Belgium faced fresh protests as its parliament debated whether to extend a ground-breaking euthanasia law to terminally-ill children, making it only the second nation to allow minors the right to die.

More than 200 pediatricians petitioned lawmakers to postpone the vote on the grounds it was both ill-prepared and unnecessary. "Pain can be eased nowadays, there's been huge progress in palliative care," said Nadine Francotte, a cancer specialist in the city of Liege who signed the petition.

Painkillers "enable a child to live to the last moment" while euthanasia drugs lead to un-natural death, Francotte said.

This legislation will make Belgium the second country after the Netherlands to allow incurably sick children to end their lives.

While the Dutch law, the world's first euthanasia bill, enables mercy-killing for gravely ill patients 12 years or older, Belgium will be the first to lift all age restrictions.

The bill states a child must have "a capacity of discernment and be conscious at the moment of the request".

The minor must also "be in a hopeless medical situation of constant and unbearable suffering that cannot be eased and which will cause death in the short-term".

Counselling by doctors and a psychiatrist or psychologist is required, as is approval by the parents.

Belgian lower house passes child euthanasia bill

A bill permitting euthanasia for children has passed the lower house of the Belgian Parliament by a vote of 86 to 44, with 12 abstentions. The parties gave their members a free vote on the controversial issue.

It will become law when King Philippe gives royal assent. This will make Belgium the only country in the world which allows euthanasia without an age limit. This has come only 12 years after it was first legalised.

Neighbouring Netherlands also allows euthanasia for children, but only up to the age of 12.

Supporters of the bill insist that it is safe and that there will only be a handful of cases each year. The child must be suffering from a terminal illness, with "constant and unbearable suffering". He or she must demonstrate a "capacity of discernment".

Can an eight-year-old give informed consent to a lethal injection? Yes, they say, because youngsters in this situation often display a maturity beyond their years.

"This is an act of humanity that allows the doctor to make the most humane course of action for his patient," said Philippe Mahoux, a doctor and Socialist Party senator who sponsored the legislation. "What is scandalous is the suffering of sick children when they are going to die."

Opponents are not convinced that children are capable of making a mature decision on such a momentous matter. British barrister Charles Foster commented late last year: "children could easily think, or be actively or unconsciously persuaded, that they should opt for death because their illness causes trouble for their parents."

Also see the Report of the European Institute for Bioethics (Brussels): " Euthanasia in Belgium : 10 years on"