Rising Euthanasia Cases in the Netherlands Spark Concerns as England and Wales Debate Assisted Suicide Bill
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As lawmakers in England and Wales prepare for the Third Reading of a bill aimed at legalizing assisted suicide, parallels are being drawn with the situation in the Netherlands. The Dutch experience has highlighted potential consequences, as recent data shows a notable increase in euthanasia cases.
Statistics from Dutch authorities revealed a 10% rise in euthanasia cases in 2024, with nearly 10,000 individuals choosing this path. This now accounts for over 5% of all deaths in the Netherlands, marking the highest level since euthanasia was legalized in 2002.
Dutch law permits euthanasia for individuals enduring “unbearable suffering … with no prospect of improvement.” This includes those suffering from mental illnesses who are not terminally ill, a demographic that has seen growing numbers opting for medically assisted death.
In the past year, 219 individuals chose euthanasia due to psychiatric reasons, an increase from 138 cases in 2023. The rise is stark compared to 2010 when only two cases were reported for psychiatric reasons.
These figures have prompted concern among Dutch officials. The regional euthanasia review committees (RTE) emphasize the need for “great caution” when dealing with psychiatric patients, recommending consultation with psychiatric specialists and a third medical opinion before proceeding.
An RTE statement advises, “The doctor must always call upon psychiatric expertise for these patients. The aim of this is for the doctor to be well-informed and to reflect critically on his or her own convictions.”
The RTE noted six instances last year where euthanasia protocols were not properly followed. In one case, a woman with an obsessive-compulsive cleaning disorder was euthanized without psychiatric consultation.
There is also growing concern about the increasing number of requests for euthanasia from individuals under 30 with mental health issues.
Damiaan Denys, professor of psychiatry at Amsterdam University Medical Center, questioned, “How can one, at that age, determine with certainty that a young person with a still-developing brain definitely wants to die, that life is experienced as hopeless and without prospects, and that all treatments have already been carried out?”
Opponents of the assisted suicide bill in England and Wales have criticized the dilution of safeguard measures in the proposal since its Second Reading. Initially, the bill required approval from a High Court judge, but this has been altered to a panel of experts, raising concerns over protections for individuals with mental health conditions and eating disorders.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
