A terminally ill 17 - year - old has become the first fry to be helped to give-up the ghost in Belgium since age confinement on euthanasia requests were eliminated two years ago . It ’s a historical case in point that could influence suicide jurisprudence elsewhere .
As of 2014 , Belgium is the first and only country in the world that allows fry of any geezerhood to choose doctor - assist death . A 17 - year - old excruciation from an unrevealed illness has now become the first individual to take advantage of this provision — an authoritative precedent that could have backlash in countries where euthanasia is sound . What ’s more , youngster advocacy chemical group see it as an crucial whole step forward in the cause to have doctor - assisted expiry be made available to minors , and not just adults .
“ It ’s terrible when a kid support , but it pass me some comfort to live that now there is a choice out there for nestling in the final terminal stages , ” noted Belgian Liberal Senator Jean - Jacques De Gucht in an Associated Pressarticle . “ It ’s important that club does n’t neglect people in such pain . ”
Voluntary mercy killing may be accessible to minor in Belgium , but the controversial practice is bound by strict linguistic rule . It requires a child to be in the last stages of a terminal unwellness , and to comprehend the implications of choose death over lifetime at a rational level . Minors also take to have ask to conk on multiple occasions , and invite the consent of parents and two doctors , including a head-shrinker . In this sheath , the unnamed stripling was “ suffering intolerable physical pain , ” and had asked to buy the farm by suicide .
Minors can also choose for doctor - wait on death in Holland but only after the eld of 12 . As of 2014 , no such restriction survive in Belgium .
[ CBC , Associated Press ]
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