Former Dutch PM, Wife Die By Euthanasia: What Is It? Here Are The Countries Where Euthanasia Is Legal

Catholic former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt, died by euthanasia, hand in hand with his wife Eugenie. They were both 93.

The news of their death was announced on Friday by The Rights Forum, which said the couple died Monday and would be buried in a private ceremony in the eastern city of Nijmegen.

"He died hand in hand with his beloved wife Eugenie van Agt-Krekelberg, the support and anchor with whom he was together for more than 70 years and whom he always continued to refer to as my girl,'" a statement from the non-profit organization said.

In 2019, Agt suffered a brain haemorrhage and never fully recovered, the press release added. Both the husband and wife were "very ill", but "couldn't live without each other," the nonprofit's director Gerad Jonkman said.

What Is Euthanasia?

In layman's terms, Euthanasia refers to the act of deliberately ending someone's life to relieve their suffering. It's often described as "mercy killing." Either it will be done by a doctor administering a lethal injection or by withholding life-sustaining treatments. The key aspect is that it's carried out with the person's consent or, in some cases, with the consent of their family if the person is unable to make decisions for themselves.

It is a highly debated and controversial topic, touching on ethical, moral, and legal considerations.

Countries Where Euthanasia Is Legal

Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia, a law that came into effect in April 2002. Both passive and active euthanasia are permitted. In the Netherlands, patients who are suffering from chronic pain, have no chance of recovery and have full awareness of their situation

Belgium
In Belgium, euthanasia was legalized for adults in 2002, making it the second EU country, after the Netherlands, to do so. In 2013, it was also legalized for children. While many individuals who opt for euthanasia do so due to unbearable physical pain with no hope of recovery, this is not a mandatory requirement, unlike in many other countries. Even if not terminally ill, adults can still request euthanasia, subject to a one-month waiting period. However, children must have a terminal illness and be in "great pain", and fully understand the procedure.

Australia
Australia's regulations on "voluntary assisted dying" differ across states and territories. Between 2019 and 2022, euthanasia was legalized in all six Australian states, with the laws set to take effect in 2023 for some states. While specific details may vary, common requirements include the patient having an incurable condition leading to death within six months (or twelve months for neurodegenerative disorders), being a legal adult and resident of the state, and consulting at least two physicians. Voluntary euthanasia and assisted dying is currently unlawful in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

United States
Euthanasia laws in the US are diverse across states. Nationally, active euthanasia is illegal, but some states permit passive euthanasia for terminally ill patients. This practice is legal in the District of Columbia and several states including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana (due to a court ruling), Oregon, New Jersey, parts of New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington. Additionally, various states allow procedures akin to passive euthanasia under different labels. For example, Massachusetts permits patients to decline life-saving treatments, while Texas allows doctors to cease futile life support for terminally ill patients under specific circumstances.

Canada
In Canada, euthanasia is permitted for adults with terminal illnesses where death is reasonably foreseeable. While criticized for excluding those with non-terminal conditions, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it could also encompass individuals with grievous and incurable illnesses.

Chile
Although active euthanasia and assisted suicide remain illegal in Chile, passive euthanasia has been lawful since 2012, granting terminal patients the right to refuse medical treatment. However, there's a bill under consideration in the Chilean legislature to legalize both active euthanasia and assisted suicide, potentially becoming law soon.

Colombia
Initially, euthanasia was legal in Colombia for patients with terminal conditions such as cancer, AIDS, or kidney or liver failure. However, a ruling in July 2021 expanded this to include additional patients, even those with non-terminal illnesses.

Denmark
Denmark does not have specific laws either legalizing or criminalizing euthanasia. According to a study published by the Lancet in 2003, approximately 1 per cent of deaths in the country involved active euthanasia.

Finland
In Finland, passive euthanasia is considered legal, but as of late 2022, active euthanasia has not yet been legalized.

France
Euthanasia is not allowed in France. However, terminally ill patients have the right to request heavy sedation until their death.

Germany
Passive euthanasia was legalized in Germany in 2014, but active euthanasia remains prohibited by law. However, a recent ruling by Germany's Federal Constitutional Court in 2020 determined that prosecuting doctors who provide patients with assistance for suicide actually violates the patient's right to self-determination. The long-term implications of this ruling on the potential legalization of active euthanasia in Germany are yet to be seen.

Ireland
In Ireland, active euthanasia is still not allowed, but a survey conducted in 2010 revealed that 57% of adults supported the idea of granting terminally ill patients the choice of euthanasia. Under certain circumstances, doctors can legally discontinue life-support measures like feeding tubes and ventilators. A bill called the "Dying with Dignity Bill" was under consideration in late 2020 and could potentially further legalize euthanasia.

Israel
In Israel, all forms of euthanasia are technically illegal. However, there have been instances where the courts have permitted euthanasia in specific cases. While Jewish law generally prohibits active euthanasia, there are interpretations that argue for the authorization of passive euthanasia.

Japan
In Japan, euthanasia is neither explicitly legal nor illegal. The country's stance on euthanasia remains undefined, leaving the matter open to interpretation.

Luxembourg
In 2009, Luxembourg became the third European Union country to legalize euthanasia. To qualify, patients must be terminally ill and receive approval from two doctors and a panel of experts.

Mexico
While active euthanasia is not allowed in Mexico, passive euthanasia is legal. This means that patients have the right to refuse life-prolonging treatment. The Catholic Church opposes efforts to legalize active euthanasia and emphasizes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Due to the poorly regulated drug trade, unassisted euthanasia is possible in Mexico, as individuals can easily access drugs like pentobarbital. This drug is commonly used by veterinarians and those seeking self-euthanization, including international travelers who visit Mexico specifically to obtain it.

Switzerland
Known for its lenient approach, Switzerland's laws on euthanasia are among the most permissive globally. Euthanasia is prohibited if the person assisting in doctor-assisted suicide stands to benefit, like inheriting from the deceased, but is widely accepted otherwise. Unlike in many places, the administering physician doesn't need to diagnose the patient, and there's no age restriction. While active euthanasia is outlawed, physicians can legally provide lethal medications for patients to self-administer. Interestingly, this authorization extends to international patients as well, contributing to what's termed "suicide tourism," where individuals travel to Switzerland to end their lives.

New Zealand
The End of Life Choice Act 2019 in New Zealand, effective from November 2021, legalized "assisted dying" under specific conditions. To qualify, the individual must be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, at least 18 years old, and suffering from an irreversible terminal illness with no prospect of recovery. They should be within six months of expected death due to their condition, experiencing significant physical deterioration and distress, and fully capable of expressing their wishes. If the patient meets these criteria and requests euthanasia, and two physicians concur, the administering physician can provide a lethal dose of medication.

Portugal
In early 2020, Portugal's Assembly of the Republic passed a bill legalizing certain forms of euthanasia. However, the bill faced constitutional challenges due to its lack of clarity, leading the country's Constitutional Court to rule it unconstitutional. Efforts have been underway since June 2022 to revise the bill to address legal concerns and potentially legalize euthanasia in Portugal.

Russia
Despite the fact that euthanasia is prohibited in Russia, there are no specified penalties outlined in the law for those who perform euthanasia.

Uruguay
Although assisted suicide (and by extension, euthanasia) is officially unlawful in Uruguay, judges possess the authority to pardon physicians acting out of compassion at the patient's request. Consequently, no doctor has ever been convicted of the "crime" of assisting in suicide, effectively maintaining a legal grey area.

South Korea
Since February 2018, euthanasia has been legalized in South Korea. However, it is only permitted for patients who are terminally ill with no hope of recovery and are experiencing a decline in their health.

Spain
Spain implemented a law on June 25, 2021, legalizing active euthanasia. The administering of a lethal dose of medication can be carried out by a physician or prescribed for self-administration by the patient. To be eligible for euthanasia, individuals must be Spanish citizens or have legal residency, suffer from a serious and incurable disease (not necessarily terminal), possess full knowledge of the process and alternative options, request the procedure twice with a 15-day gap between requests, and provide informed consent. 86% of the Spanish population supports voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients.

United Kingdom
In the UK, active euthanasia is technically against the law, despite a 1957 court ruling that exempted physicians who administered lethal doses to relieve patients' pain from murder charges. However, passive euthanasia is legal under certain conditions. Patients can create "living wills," instructing doctors to stop treatments that merely prolong life without curing the illness. A 2015 survey showed that 82% of UK citizens support "assisted dying," and efforts to legalize it are ongoing.

Is It Legal in India?

The legislation concerning Euthanasia in India makes a clear distinction between active and passive euthanasia. In India, passive euthanasia, which is commonly referred to as the withholding or withdrawal of life support, has been legally permissible in specific circumstances since the Supreme Court's rulings in the cases of Aruna Shanbaug (2011), Common Cause (2018), and a subsequent order modifying the issued guidelines in Common Cause (2023).

For passive euthanasia to be carried out, patients must provide consent through a living will and meet the criteria of being either terminally ill or in a vegetative state. In January 2023, the Supreme Court further streamlined and relaxed the procedural guidelines associated with passive euthanasia.