Belgium passes law to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children
Critics question if a child has the capacity to make the decisionto end their life
Belgium has become the first country to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children of all ages after a debate in which critics questioned a child's ability to make the decision to die.
Despite opposition from the Catholic Church, which called the move "a step too far", and some paediatricians, parliament adopted the legislation on Thursday by 86 votes to 44, with 12 abstentions. The legislation makes the country the second after the Netherlands to allow mercy-killing for children, and the first to lift all age restrictions.
Unlike the Dutch across the border, where euthanasia is allowed for children over 12, the law states that any incurably sick child may request to end their suffering if "conscious", and if equipped with "a capacity of discernment".
A debate before the vote was interrupted by a man who shouted out "murderers" in French, before being removed from the house.
"It is not a question of imposing euthanasia on anyone ... but of allowing a child not to agonise in pain," said Socialist MP Karine Lalieux ahead of the vote.
Belgium is one of three countries in Europe to allow euthanasia for adults, and a poll in October showed 73 per cent supported extending the right to children.