In 2025, a minor was also able to benefit from this full-fledged medical procedure, recently recognized by Inami. “Since the entry into force of the law of February 28, 2014, which extended the possibility of euthanasia to minors, the number of cases involving minor patients remains extremely limited. : seven in total“, explains the commission.
A limited number of files
“Given the extremely limited number of cases involving minors, it is not possible to communicate further details (precise reasons, age, pathology, etc.) without risking compromising the anonymity of the patients concerned.“, she explains.
“Generally speaking, when euthanasia concerns a minor, the reasons meet the same essential conditions as for adults: voluntary, repeated request, without external pressure, medical situation with no way out and constant, unrelievable and unbearable suffering, caused by a serious and incurable condition.“, continues the CFCEE.
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However, for minor patients, the law provides additional guarantees. Doctors must in particular ensure the capacity of discernment of the minor who must consult a child psychiatrist or a psychologist, note that death is expected in the short term, confirm the presence of physical suffering, “the legislator intended by this to exclude requests motivated by psychiatric conditions even if the wording is not happy“, underlines the CFCEE.
Unfortunate wording
Finally, you must obtain the agreement of the legal representatives. “Agreement”, the wording is somewhat unfortunate, believes Jacqueline Herremans, president of the ADMD (Association for the Right to Die with Dignity) and member of the Belgian Bioethics Advisory Committee.
“I would have preferred another wording like “do not object to it“. For what ? “Despite everything, asking parents to agree to the euthanasia of their child is a very heavy burden. Although I am not aware of any cases where there was opposition from parents. In such a case, you have to go through dialogue. Children are also in the best position to convince their parents that there is no longer any hope of recovery. The maturity of these children suffering from serious incurable illnesses is very often highly developed.“, she deciphers.
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“The cases of children likely to request euthanasia are fortunately relatively limited. Childhood cancers exist but not in as many numbers as for adults and aging populations, for example“, also raises Jacqueline Herremans to explain the very limited number of euthanasias of minors.
Euthanasia, constantly increasing
How can we explain this constant increase since the decriminalization of euthanasia in 2002? “This law is becoming better known and recognized. Especially by those most likely to request it, this is a generation that has aged with the implementation of this law“, estim Jacqueline Herremans.
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There were already euthanasias before 2002 but with this law, doctors were also able to meet the expectations of their patients by remaining legal. “What there is also are the testimonies. Today, you are chatting with friends over a meal, it is not uncommon to announce that your father or grandmother benefited from euthanasia. And there are these returns, on the serenity of the act, the beauty of this farewell ceremony. The fear gradually disappeared“, she concludes.
