Children as young as 12 years of age may be given euthanasia under the Netherlands euthanasia law.

For 12 to 15 year old children the parents must agree with the child’s request for euthanasia before it can put into effect. For 16 and 17 year olds the parents must be involved but the decision is for the child alone.

A total of fourteen children have been given euthanasia, including one 12 year old child in 2005[11], a 16 year old in 2015, five 17 year old children between 2002 and 2015 and two children (aged 16-18 years) in 2016, three children in 2017(on aged 16-18 years, other two cases no case report), and two children both aged between 16 and 18 years in 2018.

All cases with detailed case reports (11 out of 14) involved end stage cancer.

October 20, 2018