6585 people got ‘euthanised’ in the Netherlands in 2017

Euthanasia in the Netherlands increases

Yet again euthanasia reports have increased. In 2017, the reported number of people people euthanised, was 6585. A figure that may shock some of you! Unfortunately, the regional testing commission thinks that this will rise. However, most of the individuals euthanised were very old, and therefore opted to die in dignity.

Euthanasia in the Netherlands is treated very seriously and is only used if really necessary. Especially in cases of terminal cancer and dementia.

The law

Euthanasia in the Netherlands is done by lethal injection, only administered by a trained physician. It is only legal if they have stuck to guidelines and if it isn’t then the physician is criminally liable for the death of the patient. So it can be a dodgy line to walk. The Netherlands was one of the first nations in the world to legalise euthanasia and the law has been in effect since 2002.

I come from a country where euthanasia will probably never be legalised. I don’t agree with this. It’s pretty frowned upon though, despite campaigns. There is a fear that this be will exploited and people will be euthanised against their free-will. Do you think this is a fair assumption or should we go more Dutch? 

What are your thoughts on euthanasia? We would love to hear them. Drop them in the comments! Joined our Facebook group? Well you should have 😉

 

Emma Brown
Emma Brown
A familiar face at DutchRevew. Emma arrived in Holland in 2016 for a few weeks, fell in love with the place and never left. Here she rekindled her love of writing and travelling. Now you'll find her eating stroopwafels in the DutchReview office since 2017.

7 COMMENTS

  1. euthanasia is playing God. Only He has the right to end our lives. Anything we do to end life is murder

    • In which case then shouldn’t we also stop treating diseases and illnesses, since they must too be Gods will?

    • What a BS that is, Cathie. First of all, there is no god. Second, a human being is master of his or her body. And third, if you were in pain all day long, and I mean severe pain, I bet you are asking to end it too.
      So smarten up

    • assumptions afoot.
      1) god exists despite not being seen for over 2000 years
      2) He’s a he
      3) that (s)he controls our lives.

  2. I totally agree , a family member was very keen not to be left suffering for months on end , and requester “assistance “ many tomes from his Doctor whom at last complied with his wishes . and it was a great comfort to the family that he past away in Pease .

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