Belgium reports first euthanasia of teenager
September 19, 2016
Authorities in Belgium have reported the legal death by euthanasia of a minor.
Euthanasia is legal in Belgium, and in 2014 the country's law was amended to allow for euthanasia of children facing terminal illness. In the case reported last week, the Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia disclosed only that the subject was 17 years old and was critically ill; no other details about the case were provided.
"The news saddens and worries us," said Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the president of the Italian bishops' conference. "Life is sacred and must be accepted, always, even when it requires a great effort." A publication issued by the Italian bishops argued that the legalizing euthanasia for children in practice means "attributing to an adult the power of life and death over a minor."
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Further information:
- Belgium Reports First Case of Euthanasia for a Minor (Reuters)
- Choc in Belgio, primo caso di eutanasia su un minorenne (Il Giornale)
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