Belgian Parliament Legalizes Euthanasia of Children.

Belgian Parliament Legalizes Euthanasia of Children. February 13, 2014

The Belgian Parliament has passed a law allowing doctors to euthanize children and people with dementia. The vote was 86 to 44 with 12 votes abstaining.

I have no idea why anyone would abstain on a vote like this. Speaking as a lawmaker, I would never miss the chance to say “NO!!” to a heinous piece of legislation like this. I would be there and I would both speak and vote, if they had to carry me in on a gurney.

I’ve read that euthanizing children is a popular idea in Belgium. Pity for them — and all the rest of the so-called civilized world. I can only assume that some of the abstentions came from people who were afraid of the vote politically. Again, I say, pity for them. There are times, and this is certainly one of them, when getting kicked out of office over an unpopular vote would be a badge of honor.

I assume the usual folks will line up and explain how this is a great thing.

Let me be clear: It is murder. It is not acceptable. Nothing makes it acceptable.

From BBC News Europe:

Parliament in Belgium has passed a bill allowing euthanasia for terminally ill children without any age limit, by 86 votes to 44, with 12 abstentions.

When, as expected, the bill is signed by the king, Belgium will become the first country in the world to remove any age limit on the practice.

It may be requested by terminally ill children who are in great pain and also have parental consent.

Opponents argue children cannot make such a difficult decision.

It is twelve years since Belgium legalised euthanasia for adults.

In the Netherlands, Belgium’s northern neighbour, euthanasia is legal for children over the age of 12, if there is parental consent.

Conditions for child euthanasia

  • Patient must be conscious of their decision
  • Request must be approved by parents and medical team
  • Illness must be terminal
  • Patient must be in great pain with no treatment available to alleviate their distress

Under the Dutch conditions, a patient’s request for euthanasia can be fulfilled by a doctor if the request is “voluntary and well-considered” and the patient is suffering unbearably, with no prospect of improvement.

‘Immoral’ law

One man in the public gallery of Belgium’s parliament shouted “murderers” in French when the vote was passed, Reuters news agency reports.


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