Euthanasia rights for very sick children in Belgium
- 10 years ago
The Belgian Senate voted in favour of extending euthanasia rights to extremely sick children.
The law is likely to get the vote of the full parliament, and if so, Belgium could become the first country in the world to remove the age limit for euthanasia.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATOR JEAN-JACQUES DE GUCHT FROM THE FLEMISH LIBERALS, SAYING:
"It's very important that we have a legal frame for the doctors who are confronted with this demand today and for the minors, for the capable minors, who are suffering today, and who I think should have the freedom to choose how they cope with their suffering."
Opponents of the law from the Flemish Christian Democrats say children are too young to understand death, and may not be capable of making such a decision.
Bruno Wierinckx lost his 15-year-old daughter Audrey to leukemia. He does not agree with the move.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FATHER WHO LOST 15 YEAR-OLD TO LEUKEMIA, BRUNO WIERINCKX, SAYING:
"Children re
The law is likely to get the vote of the full parliament, and if so, Belgium could become the first country in the world to remove the age limit for euthanasia.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATOR JEAN-JACQUES DE GUCHT FROM THE FLEMISH LIBERALS, SAYING:
"It's very important that we have a legal frame for the doctors who are confronted with this demand today and for the minors, for the capable minors, who are suffering today, and who I think should have the freedom to choose how they cope with their suffering."
Opponents of the law from the Flemish Christian Democrats say children are too young to understand death, and may not be capable of making such a decision.
Bruno Wierinckx lost his 15-year-old daughter Audrey to leukemia. He does not agree with the move.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FATHER WHO LOST 15 YEAR-OLD TO LEUKEMIA, BRUNO WIERINCKX, SAYING:
"Children re