Euthanasia Laws in the World

Introduction to Euthanasia Laws in the World

In 1995 the Northern Territory of Australia became the first jurisdiction to explicitly legalize voluntary active euthanasia. However, the federal parliament of Australia overturned the law in 1997. In 2001 The Netherlands became the first country to legalize active euthanasia and assisted suicide, formalizing medical practices that the government had tolerated for years. Under the Dutch law, euthanasia is justified (not legally punishable) if the physician follows strict guidelines. Justified euthanasia occurs if (1) the patient makes a voluntary, informed, and stable request; (2) the patient is suffering unbearably with no prospect of improvement; (3) the physician consults with another physician, who in turn concurs with the decision to help the patient die; and (4) the physician performing the euthanasia procedure carefully reviews the patient’s condition. Officials estimate that about 2 percent of all deaths in The Netherlands each year occur as a result of euthanasia.

In 2002 the parliament of Belgium legalized active euthanasia under limited conditions. Like the Dutch law, the Belgian law allows physicians to perform euthanasia only for patients who are suffering unbearably with no hope of improvement. The patient must make a voluntary, well-considered, and repeated request to die, and the request must be put in writing. Other physicians must be consulted to confirm the patient’s condition. Additionally, each act of euthanasia must be reported to a government commission for review.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Euthanasia Laws in the World in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Euthanasia Laws in the World

In this Section

Euthanasia, Euthanasia Background, Euthanasia Laws, Euthanasia Laws in the United States, Euthanasia Laws in Canada, Euthanasia Laws in the World, Euthanasia Prevalence and Euthanasia Ethical Concerns.