{"id":31693,"date":"2026-07-17T06:16:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T06:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/31693\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T06:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T06:16:08","slug":"netherlands-confirms-the-first-euthanasia-of-a-child-aged-1-to-12-evangelical-focus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/31693\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands confirms the first euthanasia of a child aged 1 to 12, Evangelical Focus"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Netherlands<\/a> has carried out its first euthanasia<\/a> on a \u201cseriously ill\u201d child under the age of 12, since expanding its end of life regulations in 2024.<\/p>\n

Minister of health, welfare and sport, Sophie Hermans, recently confirmed in a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives, that \u201cat the end of 2025, the committee received its first report of life termination of a child between the ages of 1 and 12 years\u201d.<\/p>\n

No details about the child\u2019s circumstances, such as their age, gender or their medical condition, were given.<\/p>\n

All Evangelical Focus news and opinion,\u00a0on your WhatsApp<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hermans also pointed out that the assessment committee examined the case, spoke to the doctor involved, and forwarded their opinion to the Public Prosecution Service (OM).<\/p>\n

It is up to the OM to assess whether the doctor acted in accordance with the law. They will make their final report public shortly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As Christians, we believe that situations like these call for compassion for the families who find themselves in such tragic circumstances\u201d, said Saskia de Graaf-Bakker, Public Affairs officer of MissieNederland<\/a>, the body representing evangelical Christians in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

They also \u201ccall for prayer for the child’s parents and loved ones, as well as for all parents and physicians who are confronted with such heartbreaking decisions\u201d.<\/p>\n

De Graaf-Bakker told Christian news website Christian Daily International, that \u201calthough MissieNederland holds a pro-life position, we do strongly support high-quality, advanced palliative care<\/a> that seeks to relieve suffering as much as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that excellent palliative care is essential\u00a0to support the parents in accompanying their seriously ill child with dignity and compassion, without feeling compelled to choose a termination of life\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia for adults in 2002.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the law was extended to allow children between the ages of 1 and 12 to be euthanized if the child is terminally ill, suffering unbearably with no prospect of improvement, and when no reasonable treatment or palliative care alternative exists.<\/p>\n

The procedure also requires \u201cexplicit parental consent, extensive consultation with an independent doctor, and a mandatory post-procedure review by an independent committee\u201d.<\/p>\n

At the time, it was expected that around five children would qualify for euthanasia per year.<\/p>\n

Prior to that extension, euthanasia was already permitted for infants<\/a> under one year old in exceptional circumstances and for minors aged 12 and over, subject to parental consent.<\/p>\n

\n Published in: Evangelical Focus<\/a> – europe<\/a>
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