The Dutch government will not give in to the call from the UN Human Rights Committee (see newsitem from August 13, 2009) to accentuate, let alone change the Dutch Euthanasia Law, according to a letter to the Parliament from Dutch minister of Justice Ernst Hirsch Ballin. Although this UN committee had the same misgivings about this law five years ago, Hirsch Ballin maintains the view of the Government that intervention by a judge or court is not necessary. The fact that the opinion of a second (independent!!) doctor is legaly obligatory makes the execution of this law conscientious. The Committee has only an consultative function.
