Canada Prepares to Recognize ‘Children’s Right to Euthanasia’

Euthanasia is one of the controversial practices around the world. However, in some countries people who are seriously ill, in great pain, and with no chance of recovery ‘Death under the supervision of a physician’ option is offered.

Canada is one of the countries that allows this practice, and since 2016, individuals over the age of 18 in the country have been offered the option of euthanasia based on their health conditions. If a new report presented in the Canadian Parliament is Reducing the age limit for euthanasia from 18 to ‘over-age children’ ‘suggests’ that euthanasia be offered.

It is demanded to lower the age to 14;

In Canada and some US states although he is not 18 years old there is a concept that states that individuals can make some decisions without the need for their parents; underage child. The new report prepared by the Canadian Parliament’s Special Committee on Physician Assisted Death also relies on this concept and states that ‘over-age children should also have the right to euthanasia’.

It is stated that the committee prepared this report by taking the opinions of 150 experts, while some experts said that before evaluating the euthanasia options, states that some health care problems need to be resolved.

There are only two countries in the world that grant children the right to euthanasia; Belgium and the Netherlands. 1 in the NetherlandsThe right to euthanasia of children aged 2-16 Children between the ages of 16 and 18 must consult their parents. However, the family has no legal authority to stop euthanasia. In Belgium, all children with decision-making capacity have the right to euthanasia.

Countries that offer euthanasia are Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and some states of Australia.