For the first time in the Netherlands, a two-year-old child was euthanized

The Netherlands has recorded its first case of euthanasia performed on a two-year-old child, made possible by updated regulations that took effect in February 2024. A specialized commission ruled that the attending physician’s actions were lawful and in good faith.

The child, born at 26 weeks of gestation, , suffered from severe brain damage and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. According to the conclusion of the “Beoordelingscommissie LZA-LP&K” commission, by the age of two, the child had the developmental level of a six-week-old infant, lacked verbal skills, and was unable to fully interact with the world. Doctors and parents concluded that the patient’s condition was accompanied by “unbearable suffering” and that there was no prospect of improvement.

Although euthanasia remains a formally criminal offense in the country, doctors can avoid liability if they meet the criteria of absolute necessity. The commission’s conclusion was forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office; however, based on the practice of Dutch authorities, such verdicts rarely lead to criminal prosecution.

This decision sparked a wave of criticism from religious and ethical organizations. In particular, the Christian patient organization NPV emphasized the absurdity of applying the principle of “informed consent” to children, and Cardinal Willem Eijk had previously warned of the risks of a gradual erosion of ethical standards if the practice of euthanasia were extended to minors.