Petition to: Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge
Oppose Child Euthanasia
Oppose Child Euthanasia
The Netherlands Minister of Health, Hugo de Jonge, announced on October 12 that their government will amend or re-interpret the euthanasia law to permit child euthanasia. DutchNews.nl reported the following (click here for the article):
Health minister Hugo de Jonge has told MPs in a briefing that work is progressing on plans to make it possible to help terminally sick children aged between one and 12 to die, in limited circumstances.
The recommendation was made in a report by experts last year, who found that a small group of children may be suffering because doctors are afraid of the consequences of actions that could hasten their deaths.
De Jonge said that he wants to ensure there are ‘more legal guarantees for doctors’ who take the decision to end the life of a child, as well as transparency for healthcare staff and parents, and protection for the rights of children.
In other words, the law would protect doctors who are willing to kill sick children.
The current Netherlands euthanasia law permits euthanasia for children as young as 12, when parents or guardians consent; the Groningen Protocol permits euthanasia for disabled newborns. People over the age of 16 are considered adults and can therefore provide consent to euthanasia.
De Jonge said that they would permit euthanasia for children between the ages of one and 12, who currently do not qualify to be killed.
NL Times reported (click here for the article) that the change would be introduced after the next election.
[…] The party said it was inappropriate to push the significant legislation through with less than a half year remaining until the next election. De Jonge said his proposal will protect the interests of children, and will afford more transparency to the "gray area". This in turn makes physicians more accountable to parents, and provides a basis for review and assessment of individual cases, which already exists for euthanasia patients of other ages.
Resources:
Complete your signature
Sign this petition now!
Petition to: Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge
I oppose the extension of euthanasia to include children.
Euthanasia is sold to the public with the assurance that it is based on a “freely consenting person” being approved, under the law, by doctors.
Children cannot freely consent. They can also be coerced in a different manner than adults.
I call on the Netherlands government to reject extending euthanasia to children and ensure that children who live with painful medical conditions be provided excellent pain and symptom management and not lethal injection.
I believe in caring, not killing.
Petition to: Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge
I oppose the extension of euthanasia to include children.
Euthanasia is sold to the public with the assurance that it is based on a “freely consenting person” being approved, under the law, by doctors.
Children cannot freely consent. They can also be coerced in a different manner than adults.
I call on the Netherlands government to reject extending euthanasia to children and ensure that children who live with painful medical conditions be provided excellent pain and symptom management and not lethal injection.
I believe in caring, not killing.
