Child Euthanasia Bill Gives Children The ‘Right To Die’

Belgium's child euthanasia bill gives children the 'right to die'. While assisted suicide is legal in Belgium, it is not legal for children...yet. It looks like it will be signed in as a law soon, though. Keep reading to find out more.

From Inquisitr:

The bill will look to include children for assisted suicide that are in “constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated.”

Belgium's Senate approved the bill back in December with a vote of 86 for and 44 against. It does have SOME stipulations though. The assisted suicide cannot be done without a parents consent...(ed. note: Well, I would hope not!). It is not up to King Phillippe to sign it in as law, and it looks like he will be doing that.

A psychologist or psychiatrist must also be present to explain the procedure to the child, and make sure that he or she understands.

Palliative nurse Sonja Develter works exclusively with terminally ill children. She is concerned that many children, who may already believe they are a burden, will make the decision to please their families. Develter said having the option to die will only increase the stress on terminally ill children and the parents.

The article goes on to talk about 18 year old Izabela Sacewicz, who has been suffering form Huntington's disease for the past 8 years. She cannot eat or walk without assistance, and even she, who is suffering, says it's not good. Her mother agrees.