Netherlands Records First Euthanasia of Child Under 12 Since 2024 Law Expansion

In late 2025 a child younger than 12 was euthanised in the Netherlands, marking the first application of the 2024 amendment that permits physician-assisted death for children aged 1-12. Health Minister Sophie Hermans disclosed the case in a letter to the House of Representatives, noting that no identifying details—age, gender or medical condition—were released. The incident was reported to the Regional Euthanasia Review Committee and referred to the Public Prosecution Service for legal review.

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The Dutch Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act, enacted in 2002, originally allowed euthanasia for adults and for minors 12 and older with parental consent. An amendment adopted in April 2024 extended eligibility to children 1-12 who are terminally ill, experience unbearable suffering, and have no realistic prospect of improvement. The law requires parental consent and, where possible, the child’s assent. Officials projected five to ten such cases annually. Belgium removed all age limits in 2014, becoming the only other nation permitting euthanasia for minors.

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Minister Hermans wrote that the child died at the end of 2025 after physicians confirmed the statutory criteria were met. The Regional Euthanasia Review Committee, which meets bi-monthly, interviewed the attending physician and forwarded an advisory opinion to the Public Prosecution Service (OM). The committee’s full report will be published shortly. Government statements reiterate that the procedure must satisfy the “unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement” requirement and that independent medical consultation and a second-opinion physician are mandatory.

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child under 12

Catholic bioethicist Joseph Meaney (National Catholic Bioethics Center) called the case “clearly a grave ethical violation” and warned that “the Church teaches that euthanasia and assisted suicide are intrinsically evil and so can never be morally justified actions.” Cardinal Willem Eijk (Archbishop of Utrecht) added that the bishops’ conference opposes any violation of intrinsic human dignity. Matt Vallière (Patient Rights Action Fund) warned of a “slippery slope,” saying the “further that they push the envelope, the more other countries will consider it, especially in the Euro-American West.”

Child under 12 euthanized in the Netherlands

In 2025 the Netherlands recorded over 10,000 euthanasia deaths, representing roughly 6 % of all deaths and a 3.8 % rise from 2024. The Regional Euthanasia Review Committees logged 10,341 total cases that year, with only one prior minor case (a teenager 12-18). The review committee comprises four physicians, a lawyer and an ethicist; it requires parental consent, independent specialist verification, and a second-opinion physician before a procedure proceeds.

Netherlands Records First Child Euthanasia Under 2024 Law as Prosecutors Review Case

Sources differ on the child’s exact age—some describe a “12-year-old,” others cite “between 1 and 12.” No information on the specific illness, gender or residence has been released. While most reports state the amendment took effect in 2024, a few note the law was passed in 2023 and implemented the following year. The committee’s findings remain unpublished.

Netherlands Records First Child Euthanasia Under 2024 Law as Prosecutors Review Case

The case has intensified debates in the United Kingdom, France and several U.S. states where assisted-dying bills are pending. Meaney’s comment that the Netherlands “usually serves as a bellwether” underscores concerns that other jurisdictions may broaden eligibility. Prosecutors will determine whether the physician complied with legal safeguards, and the forthcoming committee report may influence ongoing legislative discussions worldwide.

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child under 12 after law expansion

• “This is clearly a grave ethical violation,” — Joseph Meaney, senior fellow, National Catholic Bioethics Center

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child under 12 after law expansion

• “The Church teaches that euthanasia and assisted suicide are intrinsically evil and so can never be morally justified actions.” — Joseph Meaney, senior fellow, National Catholic Bioethics Center

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child under 12 after law expansion

• “Expanding the limits of what is allowed by the law in terms of medicalised killing usually happens first in the Netherlands and then spreads to other countries,” — Joseph Meaney, senior fellow, National Catholic Bioethics Center

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child

• “The further that they push the envelope, the more other countries will consider it, especially in the Euro-American West,” — Matt Vallière, executive director, Patient Rights Action Fund

Netherlands records first euthanasia death of child under 12 after law expansion

• “In a 2017 interview, Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht said: The Dutch bishops' conference has warned from the beginning against violating the intrinsic dignity of human life through euthanasia or assisted suicide, because it is never ever allowable to violate intrinsic values, and because in doing so you put yourself on a slippery slope…” — Cardinal Willem Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht

Child under 12 euthanized in the Netherlands