King Philippe signed the law which aims to extend the legal framework allowing euthanasia, under certain conditions, to minors. A psychologist will have to ascertain the capacity of discernment of the minor. Only terminally ill minors facing unbearable and hopeless physical suffering can – supervised by a medical team – and with parental consent only, benefit from this new law, if they ask for the termination of their life. Belgium is the first country to legalize euthanasia without age limit. The Netherlands have allowed euthanasia for minors, by providing for a minimum age of 12 years.
A petition gathering some 200,000 signatures of European citizens was delivered Thursday at the royal palace to the attention of the king, asking him not to sign the law authorising euthanasia for minors.
(from Le Libre)