A CitizenGo petition was launched after the Minister of Health, Hugo de Jonge, announced that the government will amend or re-interpret the euthanasia law. He 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 in 2019 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.
