Netherlands euthanasia death of 17-year-old criticised

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The DutchNewsNL reported that the Dutch federation of doctors (KNMG) rebuked 14 psychiatrists for sending a letter to urge the prosecution office to investigate the euthanasia death of a 17-year-old.

The DutchNewsNL reported that:

The case revolves around Milou, who had suffered from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts from the age of 11 following sexual abuse. She was again sexually abused in an institution by another patient.

After years of treatment and various suicide attempts, she chose euthanasia at the age of 17 on the grounds of unbearable mental suffering.

The letter from the 14 psychiatrists that asked the prosecution office to investigate the euthanasia death stated:

However, prominent psychiatrists disagreed and wrote to the public prosecution office, questioning the right of a minor to opt for euthanasia and whether it is right to assume that mental suffering cannot be cured.

In the letter they mention the “widespread promotion of euthanasia” which in their opinion could lead to “the unnecessary death” of young patients.

The DutchNewsNL also reported that:

Professor of psychiatry Damiaan Denys, who signed the letter to the public prosecution office, said the KNMG’s reaction was “unnecessary, unwise and late”, but admitted the letter may not have been the best way of calling attention to “the ease with which euthanasia is mentioned for young people with mental problems”

Since oversight of the Netherlands euthanasia law is based on an after the death reporting system, there has been almost no investigations by the prosecution office into controversial euthanasia deaths.

The KNMG should have stayed out of this issue. Urging the prosecution office to investigate a controversial euthanasia death should be welcome based on assuring that the law is being properly followed. These are questions of life and death.