1. Euthanasia Law in the Netherlands
Medical Ethics
Euthanasia Law in the Netherlands

2. First country in the world to legalise euthanasia.
Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act took effect on April 1, 2002.
It legalized euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in specific circumstances.

3. Doctors who perform euthanasia will not be prosecuted if:
The patient must be a Dutch national (ie hold a Dutch passport)
the patient's suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement
the patient's request for euthanasia must be voluntary and persist over time
the patient must be fully aware of his/her condition, prospects and options
there must be consultation with at least one other independent doctor who needs to confirm the conditions mentioned above
the death must be carried out in a medically appropriate fashion by the doctor or patient, and the doctor must be present
the patient is at least 12 years old (patients between 12 and 16 years of age require the consent of their parents)
After assisting with a suicide, doctors are required to make a full report to the Royal Dutch Medical Association as well as the legal authorities.

4. Key Aims of the Legislation
Euthanasia is not just available ‘on demand’.
To respect the wishes of individuals .

5. The Groningen Protocol
Euthanasia remains technically illegal for patients under the age of 12.
However the Dutch public prosecutor will not press charges if the "Groningen Protocol" is followed.
The presence of hopeless and unbearable suffering
The consent of the parents to termination of life
Medical consultation having taken place
Careful execution of the termination
The death must be reported to the local medical examiner, who in turn reports it to both the district attorney and to a review committee.

6. Further details can be found at:ml