Almost 4,000 people were killed by euthanasia in Belgium in 2024, a rise of nearly 17% in twelve months, according to official statistics showing that a minor (aged under 18) was also killed, bringing the total of euthanised children since 2014 to six.
There were 3,991 euthanasia cases in Belgium last year as patients being killed rose by 17%. Euthanasia amounted to 3.6% of all deaths in the nation in 2024.
Figures released by the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission on Euthanasia (FCEE) this week show that the majority (72.6%) of people killed were over 70 years old. Just over half of all cases took place at home.
Fifty people aged under 40 years old were also euthanised, including one child. Six children have been killed since Belgium became the first country in the world to legalise child euthanasia in 2014.
While 76.6% of all cases in 2024 were considered terminal, it is reported that euthanasia of non-terminal patients is on the rise.
Over half (54%) of patients were suffering from cancer. However, 55 cases cited “psychiatric conditions (e.g. personality disorders)”.
On the role of GPs in euthanasia, the report stated: “General practitioners play a dominant role in euthanasia cases, both for the first opinion and for carrying out the procedure, a role that has become clear with the removal of anonymity in registration documents.
“They are the first doctors consulted when asking for a first opinion, and are also the first doctors that patients turn to when requesting euthanasia.
“Training on end-of-life care is becoming increasingly widespread among the doctors consulted.”
An assisted suicide law for England and Wales is currently at Committee stage. MP Kim Leadbeater’s Bill proposes to legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill adults given six months to life.
However, there are concerns about where the “slippery slope” of state-sanctioned assisted suicide might lead.
This week, over 250 GPs revolted against the Royal College of General Practitioners’ decision to take a neutral position on assisted suicide, contrary to the opinion of most RCGP members.
“We will not be involved in its provision and remain committed to easing suffering at the end of life through proactive, compassionate and holistic palliative care. We regret the RCGP’s stance and find it grossly misrepresentative of GPs’ attitudes to assisted dying”, the group of GPs wrote in a letter to The Times.
Meanwhile, British Medical Association (BMA) members voted in favour of a motion affirming that “assisted dying is not a health activity…
“No consultant shall be expected to be involved in any part of the assisted dying process, including having no obligation to either suggest assisted dying to patients, nor refer patients for it.”
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