A recent Benelux survey showed that 62% of the country’s residents believe that those suffering dementia should have access to euthanasia, if they have a valid will predating their dementia. Even more – 68% – think the law that allows minors aged 12 to 16 in the Netherlands to request euthanasia (if the request is supported by their parents) is a good idea.

The Flemish socialists (SP.A) have introduced two proposals to amend Belgium’s current euthanasia legislation. The first proposes no minimum age limit, stating that the guiding parameter should be whether the child is “fit to make a judgment”, adding that “sometimes children as young as seven or 10 years can be mature enough to decide their own fate”. They do not want to exclude parents or medical teams, which must be in consensus with the child’s wishes.

The second proposal addresses the rights of the demented and “those suffering permanent unconsciousness as a result of irreversible brain damage”. SP.A requests that patients have the opportunity to choose euthanasia while still mentally healthy, by way of a valid will deposited at the presiding municipal authority.

There is also much confusion around the existing legislation, clearly illustrated by the question: “Do I have the right to euthanasia?”. Not necessarily, it seems. The presiding physician may refuse to administer the lethal injection and is not obliged to refer the patient to another physician. It is one of the reasons why SP.A senator Marleen Temmerman wants to update the legislation to make referral to another physician mandatory. Hospitals – often Catholic – may also circumvent unclear legislation by suggesting “palliative sedation”, whereby physicians increasingly sedate patients until death sets in.

SP.A, spearheading the debate, acknowledged that while social attitudes may have changed, such issues were more sensitive politically. But says SP.A, it is “time for parties to take a stand”. Both Open VLD and Groen have indicated that they support the debate. But other parties, including the Christian Democrats (CD&V), are opposed to any changes in legislation.