Buchanan said euthanasia and assisted suicide were formally legalized for psychological suffering and terminal physical illness in the Netherlands in 2002. The annual review published by the Dutch government's Regional Euthanasia Review Committees (RTE) noted that cases were "initially controversial and rare." In 2010, only four cases of euthanasia had been recorded by the RTE.
But the cases of euthanasia "have been steadily increasing since," with a sharp rise over the past five years. From 68 cases in 2019, this has risen to 138 cases – more than double – in 2023.
The journalist mentioned that a movement for the legalization of assisted suicide has gained traction, with as many as two-thirds of the population backing it. Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament and the British crown dependencies of Jersey and the Isle of Man have also put forward similar proposals. Over in London, Opposition Leader Keir Starmer has said he is "committed" to allowing another vote on euthanasia in the British Parliament should the Labor Party win the U.K.'s general election.
"As the country where assisted dying has been legal the longest, could the Netherlands be a forecast of its potential long-term consequences? Some experts warn it may be," Buchanan wrote. She cited healthcare ethics professor Theo Boer as one of those critics. One of the early architects of Dutch euthanasia practice, Boer has since turned over a new leaf – becoming its most outspoken critic.
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The professor submitted evidence to the British Parliament for a debate on assisted dying in the United Kingdom. He wrote: "It is well known that British advocates of assisted dying argue for a more restricted law than is found in the [Netherlands]. Here is my prediction: Any law that allows assisted dying will come to be experienced as an injustice and will be challenged in the courts."
Buchanan continued that the Dutch law legalizing euthanasia "hasn't changed in the 20-plus years since it was introduced." Instead, the interpretation of its criteria has included people with mental illness who are suffering unbearably – even those under 18 years old.
Canada to expand criteria for assisted suicide
The Netherlands isn't alone, as it is but one of a handful of nations to legalize euthanasia for psychological conditions. Belgium passed a law in May 2002 that legalizes both the practice and assisted suicide for patients in a "futile medical condition of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated." Luxembourg followed six years later, legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2008.
Perhaps the most notable as of late is Canada, where the government calls the practice Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the criteria for MAiD is set to expand to include those suffering from mental illness.
However, Ottawa was forced to push back the inclusions after outrage from various sectors. Originally set for March 2023, this was pushed to March this year until the government finally announced that the inclusions would take effect in 2027. (Related: Canada postpones expansion of euthanasia program to mentally ill people, but the Trudeau government promises to kill them eventually.)
Rates of mental illness among young people in both the U.K. and the Netherlands are increasing. A 2022 survey found that 53.3 percent of Dutch respondents aged between 16 and 25 years old have experienced symptoms of mental illness.
A separate survey from that year also found that 26 percent of adults met the criteria for a mental illness – including anxiety, depression and addiction. In 2010, that number was 17 percent.
The outlook is similarly grim in the U.K., fueled by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A July 2021 survey found that one in six children aged five to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem, a marked increase from one in nine per a 2017 survey. The amount of people aged 16 and up with common mental health problems rose by 20 percent between 1993 to 2014, in both men and women.
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Watch this clip from "Timcast IRL" where host Tim Pool and his guests discuss the assisted suicide of Dutch woman Zoraya ter Beek.
This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
People with disabilities oppose Canada’s proposed expansion of euthanasia law.
KILLING THE HELPLESS: Canada set to legalize euthanasia for mentally ill patients.
Op-ed: EUTHANASIA of young, healthy women in the Netherlands a warning to Canada.
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