Oppose Child Euthanasia

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CitizenGO - started this petition to Ernst Kuipers - 2022/07/27

The Netherlands Minister of Health, Ernst Kuipers, announced on June 27, 2022 that the government plans to approve a protocol to permit child euthanasia in October.

The Netherlands euthanasia law currently permits euthanasia for children as young as 12, when parents or guardians consent; the Groningen Protocol permits euthanasia for disabled newborns. People over the age of 16 are considered adults and can consent to euthanasia.

Kuipers is not planning to amend the current law but to extend the Groningen Protocol children from age 1 – 12. This announcement sets a dangerous precedent. The Groningen Protocol permits euthanasia of newborns who are experiencing current or possible future suffering.

DutchNews.nl reported the following:

Doctors have to be convinced the child’s suffering is unbearable and there is no possibility of a cure or a treatment to alleviate the pain.

Any diagnosis has to be fully discussed with the child’s parents as well as the possibility of euthanasia, for which both parents will have to give their permission.

Doctors will also discuss the procedure with the child in a way the child will understand and will only proceed if the child is in no way opposed to it.

Doctors will have to consult at least one independent doctor who will evaluate if all the criteria have been met before euthanasia can take place.

The concept is currently out to consultation. Kuipers will present the final concept in October, when he will also announce when the protocol will come into force.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition urges you to sign this petition to Prime Minister Rutte and Minister of Health Kuipers opposing child euthanasia.

We oppose killing children by euthanasia and we challenge the Netherlands government who are avoiding controversy by not amending the law but promulgating a protocol that permits killing children. Democracy requires open debate, especially on controversial issues.

More information:

DutchNews.nl: Health minister proposes euthanasia protocol for children under 12 (Link to article).

Netherlands Health Minister proposes protocol for euthanasia of children (Link to article).

Protect children’s lives from euthanasia (Link to article).

Legalizing euthanasia: What we can learn from the Netherlands (Link to article).

YouTube: Protect Children's Lives (Link to video)

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Petition to: Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Health Ernst Kuipers

I oppose child euthanasia.

Euthanasia is sold to the public with the assurance that it is based on a person who is capable of“freely consenting” being approved, under the law, by doctors.

Children are not necessarily capable and their ability to freely consent is questionable.

Children can also be coerced by parents or others who are grieving the condition of the child.

I call on the Netherlands government to reject extending euthanasia to children and ensure that children who live with painful medical conditions be provided excellent pain and symptom management and not death by lethal injection.

I believe in caring, not killing.