Monday, September 19, 2016

First reported Belgian euthanasia death of a minor.

By Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

News reports about the first official euthanasia death of a "child" in Belgium emphasize that this lethal injection was an exceptional circumstance. Sadly this is not the first "child euthanasia." The Netherlands permits euthanasia of teens (12 to 16) with parental permission and euthanasia of newborns through the Groningen Protocol.


Once euthanasia becomes accepted in society, it is normal for it to extend to children, people with dementia and other people with conditions where consent is questionable.

In an interview for the Euthanasia Deception documentary, Lionel Roosement (below) spoke about a time he was walking in the park with his daughter in a wheelchair, when a stranger came up to them and said: Why have you not euthanized that child?



Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide creates a belief that some lives are not worth living. 

Purchase The Euthanasia Deception documentary from the Euthanasia Prevetion Coalition for: $30 for 1 copy, $100 for 4 copies or $200 for 10 copies. You can pay online (link) or email EPC at: info@epcc.ca or call toll free: 1-877-439-3348.

The documentary is also available for rent or purchase online through Vimeo On Demand by going to the web site www.vulnerablefilm.com and click rent or download.


The 2015 Belgian euthanasia data indicates that the number of euthanasia deaths continue to increase. According to the Belgian media, in 2015, there were 2021 reported deaths by euthanasia, up from 1924 reported euthanasia deaths in 2014.

But Wim Distelmans, the chairman of the euthanasia commission reminded the media that they cannot say for certain the actual number of euthanasia deaths. Distelmans stated:

"Remember, there could be some euthanasia cases carried out but which are not declared so we cannot say for certain what the number is,"
Distelmans remarks are confirmed by research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in March 2015 concerning the euthanasia practice in Belgium found that: 
  • 4.6% of all deaths in 2013 in the Flanders region were euthanasia. 
  • 1.7% of all deaths in 2013 in the Flanders region were hastened without explicit request.
According to the study nearly half of the euthanasia deaths were not reported and more than 1000 assisted deaths occurred in 2013 without request. 

More information:

5 comments:

william Peace said...

At least once a year a total stranger tells me "I would rather be dead than use a wheelchair like you".

Alex Schadenberg said...

I think that is crazy Bill especially since your such a great person to learn from, to talk to. What is so scary about a wheelchair anyway?

Jule Koch said...

We need you, Mr. Peace, more than you can ever imagine.

Unknown said...

I apologize for that strangers' ignorant comment to you & for the others before him.Suffice to say some people are afraid of their own mortality.Perhaps they see themselves in that chair & unfortunately they do not have the depth of character to see themselves as a human being not just a body, with both mind & spirit, who can contribute to the world, no matter what the state of their legs (or arms) functionality. Wheelchairs are not scary... the mentality that promotes euthanasia as treatment & prejudice against handicable people is!God bless you William!Peace!:)

MRH said...

William, I am always humbled and encouraged by those who fight for love, rejecting all false standards. Your assistive device would not limit your inner stature - My current conditions will not dictate the size of my heart. It is so hurtful what people dare to blurt out onto others; instead I hope we can all encourage one another as we find meaning and joy in the uniqueness and the harmony of our existence.