Belgian senate to back move for legal euthanasia

Belgium's senate was poised to approve measures to make the country only the second in Europe to decriminalise euthanasia.

Belgium's senate was poised to approve measures to make the country only the second in Europe to decriminalise euthanasia.

The vote was expected to pass comfortably, although critics had tabled a large number of amendments. If approved, the legislation still has another hurdle to pass in the lower chamber of the parliament, but its supporters say it could become law early next year.

The national discussion over mercy killings has been afforded extensive media coverage and provoked a vigorous debate, rousing strong passions in a predominantly Roman Catholic country.

While the coalition government – made up of liberals, socialists and greens – backs the measure, the opposition Christian Democrats were expected to vote against last night. That split reflects a divide in public opinion between those who back the right to die and those who fear that the measures will give too much power to the medical profession and could allow people to be pressured into agreeing to end their own lives.

In Europe, only the Netherlands currently permits euthanasia and, in some respects, Belgium's proposed regime is less liberal than its Dutch equivalent, with more safeguards, particularly to protect youngsters.

Under the draft bill in the Belgian Senate, euthanasia can be practised by doctors only on patients who have reached the legal adult age of 18 and at their specific and voluntary request. The person must be conscious and must repeat their demand. Those wishing to exercise the right to die must also make a written declaration although, if the patient is not capable of doing so, that task can be delegated to another adult of their choice.

People suffering from a long-term, incurable disease which is not in a terminal phase are also covered. In such cases, the advice of three doctors must be sought and at least one month must pass between the written request and the act being carried out.

Every case must be filed at a special commission which would be responsible for ensuring that doctors obeyed the law.

Belgium's 71 senators worked until late yesterday morning discussing the bill. They were due to cast their votes late last night at the end of a three-day debate on the change in the law.

Clothilde Nyssens, a Christian Democrat senator, argued: "The text goes too far. We know lots of doctors who don't like this law, who are afraid it gives them too much freedom."

But Vincent Van Quickenborne, a senator for the Volksunie party which recently split into two factions, said: "Public opinion is pretty much in favour of the measures."