Similarities and differences between the euthanasia laws in Belgium and the Netherlands
Deliens, L.; van der Wal, G.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 147(4): 169-174
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 12635551 Document Number: 564285
Recently, a law on euthanasia has been adopted in both the Netherlands and Belgium. In both countries euthanasia has been legalized under strict conditions and after confirmation with a notification procedure. Although both laws are similar, the Belgian law is more extensive on the requirements of prudent practice. On the other hand, in Dutch society the norm-setting on euthanasia has been more widely developed through jurisprudence. Nevertheless, we expect that the implementation of the new law and the notification procedure in Belgium will be more difficult than in the Netherlands. In order to promote, safeguard and guarantee the quality of the euthanasia practice, the present euthanasia notification procedure in the Netherlands is supplemented with feedback to the physicians. The strict anonymous procedure in the Belgian notification procedure prevents this possibility. Therefore, Belgian physicians will not be supported by the notification procedure to improve their knowledge and skills in euthanasia.