Belgium debates expanding euthanasia to people with dementia

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Chris Eyte wrote an article that was published by Christian Daily on May 5, 2025 reporting that Belgium is debating extending their euthanasia law to include people with dementia.

I published an article on April 16, 2025 reporting that the Netherlands D66 political party are promoting euthanasia for people with dementia.

Eyte stated that the proposed changes would mark a significant expansion to Belgium’s euthanasia law. Eyte reports that since legalization in 2002, there have been 37,606 reported euthanasia deaths in Belgium, as of 2023. Eyte writes:

The bill was introduced in Belgium’s Federal Parliament on Sept. 4, 2024. Two members of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats—Irina de Knop, mayor of Lennik, and Katja Gabriëls—have been leading voices in favor of the amendment.

Euthanasia is about killing people. 

Euthanasia is sold to the public as providing competent adults who are freely capable of consenting the option of euthanasia.

As bad as euthanasia is, euthanasia for people with dementia concerns killing people who are incompetent and not capable of consenting. It is not about freedom, choice or autonomy.