Dutch committee clears doctor in Netherlands’ first euthanasia of a child under 12
The Netherlands has cleared its first recorded case of euthanasia involving a child under 12. A review committee has found that the doctor who ended the life of a nearly two-year-old had complied with the require standards of care.
With several severe medical conditions, the child died at the end of 2025. The case was reviewed by the Dutch committee responsible for assessing whether doctors have complied with required safeguards. These safeguards are enforced when ending the lives of children aged between one and 12.
Reports say the child had been born prematurely at 26 weeks. The child suffered severe brain damage, cerebral palsy and visual impairment. And, the two-year-old also experienced frequent and severe epileptic seizures that were largely unresponsive to medication.
The medical problems also affected breathing and swallowing, while the child also experienced difficulties sleeping.
Subsequently, the doctor determined that the child’s suffering was unbearable and could not be sufficiently relieved through available treatment. Thus, the child’s parents and doctor agreed to the euthanasia.
ALSO READ: National Director of Public Prosecutions steps back from constitutional challenge on medical assistance in dying
The review committee concluded that the doctor had acted with due care. Now the case will be assessed by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service. This will determine whether there are grounds for prosecution.
A significant difference from South Africa
The case is particularly significant because in South African, euthanasia remains unlawful.
In 2016, the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal stated that assisted suicide and active voluntary euthanasia are unlawful under the current legal position. This was in the case of Minister of Justice and Correctional Services v Estate Stransham-Ford.
The case followed a legal challenge by terminally ill Cape Town advocate Robin Stransham-Ford. He sought permission for medical assistance to end his life.
Although the High Court initially ruled in his favour, Stransham-Ford died before the judgement was formally delivered. The Supreme Court of Appeal subsequently overturned the order.
Therefore, the Stransham-Ford case did not establish a legal right to assisted dying in South Africa.
However, the issue has remained the subject of legal debate.
ALSO READ: France’s constitutional authority approves assisted dying law
In 2026, DignitySA launched another legal challenge concerning assisted dying.
For now, South African law and the Dutch framework therefore stand in clear contrast.
While South Africa continues to prohibit active voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide, the Netherlands has a specific framework. This framework allows euthanasia for terminally ill children aged between one and 12 under defined circumstances.
Implementation and practise of euthanasia
Euthanasia in the Netherlands has been allowed under regulated circumstances since 2002.
Its rules for children aged one to 12 is to require doctors to follow a specific procedure. Cases are subsequently reviewed by a special committee.
The Dutch government says the review committee examines whether the current doctor acted with due care, using general medical standards and current medical knowledge. The committee includes doctors specialising in relevant areas. It also includes a lawyer and an ethicist.
For a case involving a child, this was the Nethelands’ first recorded case since the introduction of this specific framework for children.
Therefore, the case marks a development in the application of Dutch euthanasia law. It has no equivalent under South Africa’s current legal framework.
