SW News: In what is seen as a shocking move, the Dutch government stated on April 14 that it would allow euthanasia for terminally sick children under the age of 12, with the objective of implementing the new laws later this year.

The government's latest decision comes after years of campaigning by Dutch medical professionals to lower the existing age limit for euthanasia, which is presently 12 and above. To add to Switzerland's monopoly, the Netherlands is now the only country in the world where physicians may euthanize people of any age. Despite tight legislation, the Netherlands became the first nation to allow euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in 2002.

The new laws allow euthanasia for children as young as one and as elderly as twelve who have terminal conditions with the approval of their parents.

Each year, "a small group of approximately five to ten children whose palliative care options are inadequate to alleviate suffering and who are expected to die in the near future" would qualify, according to the statement.

It went on to claim that euthanasia was the only humanitarian way to end the child's excruciating anguish and sorrow.

According to Axel Dees, a spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Health, euthanasia may be carried out with parental approval and a physician's advice if the kid is unable to provide consent.

In addition to the Netherlands, euthanasia is allowed in Luxembourg, Germany, and Spain. After the Netherlands, Belgium became the second nation in the world to allow adult euthanasia in 2002. Minors were eventually included under the rules. In Switzerland, assisted suicide has been permitted since 1942, but euthanasia is still banned. Euthanasia is legal in Austria, Finland, Chile, Mexico, and Norway under specific circumstances.