The Netherlands has reported the first-ever euthanasia death of a child under the age of 12. The child who was euthanized suffered from a terminal illness, but little other information was publicly shared on the child’s specific age and conditions. In the Netherlands, you are not allowed to get married, drive independently, or vote till 18 years old, yet you can obtain permission to euthanize yourself (with parental consent) under the age of 12.
S.T.M. Hermans, the Minister of Health of the Netherlands, sent a letter on June 22, 2026, confirming the news to the Netherlands House of Representatives. It said in part, “At the end of 2025, the committee received a first notification of the termination of life of a child between the ages of 1 and 12.” Hermans said protocol was actively being followed to ensure the doctors followed all legal measures.
The Netherlands has a long history of pioneering euthanasia laws. The country was the first to legalize voluntary adult euthanasia back in April 2002 for any consenting individual over the age of 18. This recent report comes after the country changed its laws in February 2024 to allow children 1 to 12 years old to be legally euthanized, if the child is “terminally ill and is suffering unbearably with no prospect of improvement.” This decision lies solely at the discretion of the legal guardians and doctors of the child.
When the legislation was passed, the government expected low numbers of child euthanasia, under 10 cases a year. Considering the overflow of mixed reactions from social media, one can expect child euthanasia in the country to be intensely tracked by the public.
In an article for World Magazine, theologian Dr. Carl Trueman analyzed what the Netherlands law means for modern society: “The euthanizing of children with terminal illnesses is only plausible as a practice within a culture where other values are already broadly intuitive.” In other words, extended euthanasia policies reflect the fact that Western culture has legislated morality simply by what feels right.
Trueman went on to state that a culture of assisted death has never reversed its policies or stopped the slow, ever-growing line of which young, old, lonely, or otherwise helpless lives should be intentionally ended.
Anthony Bradley, a cultural analyst who wrote The Fatherhood Effect, posted a list of countries’ laws concerning child euthanasia on X. He said, “Belgium, the Netherlands, and Colombia allow euthanasia for children under 12. Belgium has no minimum age. The Dutch allow it ages 1–12. Colombia permits it for children over 6; at 14, Colombian minors can request it without parental consent.#CultureOfDeath.” While the Netherlands is the most extreme example, other countries that have legalized child euthanasia will have to decide if they are alright with slipping towards a culture of death.
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