Belgium allows 17-year old to opt for euthanasia

Belgium is currently the only country that allows minors to opt for euthanasia, on condition that the minor must still be capable of making rational decisions and be in the final stages of a terminal illness

17 September 2016, 5:13pm
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

A terminally-ill 17-year old has become the first minor to be allowed to opt for euthanasia in Belgium since legal age restrictions on euthanasia requests were lifted two years ago, according to news reports.

The head of Belgium's federal euthanasia commission is reported as saying that the terminally-ill teenager was "suffering unbearable physical pain".

Belgium is currently the only country that allows minors to opt for euthanasia, albeit with the caveat that the minor must still be capable of making rational decisions and be in the final stages of a terminal illness.

Parental consent is also required.

Head of Belgium's euthanasia commission, Wim Distelmans, gave the teenager's age as"nearly 18". He said doctors had induced death by "palliative sedation."