Belgium Reports First Case of Legal Euthanasia for a Minor

The country legalized euthanasia in 2002, and two years ago amended the rules to include some minors

In the first application of euthanasia rules adopted in 2014, a minor in Belgium has been euthanized, the country’s committee for euthanasia announced Saturday. The underage person was reported as being critically ill but no other information was given.

Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002, and two years ago amended the rules to permit doctor-assisted death for minors in a hopeless medical situation, NBC News reports. It is the only country in the world allowing euthanasia on minors of all ages.

Wim Distelmans, who chairs Belgium's Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia, said in an emailed statement that the first case was reported to his committee by a local doctor last week.

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