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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Netherlands_______________
Euthanasia legalized
Doctor’s prosecution fails to curb momentum
The Dutch Senate passed a bill legalizing euthanasia on April 10, making the Netherlands the first country to allow doctors to kill their patients—including those who may not be able to speak for themselves.
About 10,000 pro-life advocates protested outside the parliament building, praying and singing. Before the Senate vote, Health Minister Els Borst assured lawmakers that the law could not be abused by doctors because of provisions that presuppose a long doctor-patient relationship and exclude the possibility of euthanasia for nonresidents of the Netherlands.
The law, which will go into effect this summer, formalizes guidelines adopted in 1993 that gave tacit approval to assisted suicide and euthanasia. In the weeks preceding the debate, the upper house was swamped with more than 60,000 letters, most of them urging the legislators to vote against the bill. The anti-euthanasia group “Cry for Life” gathered 25,000 signatures on a petition. The bill was initially passed by the lower house by a vote of 104-40 last November.
Egbert Schuurman, of the Dutch Christian Union, called the bill “a historic mistake.” Being the first country to legislate euthanasia “is something to be ashamed of. Others may be proud, but we will expect that some may wonder later how could they have walked this path.”
Under the Dutch law, a patient has to be experiencing irremediable and unbearable suffering, be aware of all other medical options, and have sought a second professional opinion. The request must be made voluntarily, persistently, and independently while the patient is of sound mind. Doctors are not supposed to suggest it as an option.
The new law also allows patients to leave a written request for euthanasia, giving doctors the right to use their own discretion when patients become too physically or mentally ill to decide for themselves.
Advocates of the euthanasia proposal had successfully overcome the embarrassment caused when—just before the legislation came before the Senate—a doctor was found guilty of overstepping guidelines on the practice. The case of Dr. Wilfred van Oijen, who killed a patient who had only hours to live, highlighted the thin line between euthanasia and palliative medical treatment in the final stage of life.
“People will think further about the issue,” said Yvonne Timmerman, spokesman for the Christian Democratic Party (CDA). But her hopes were misplaced; the legislation won approval without difficulty.
Same-sex marriages begin
Another “first” for Netherlands
Homosexuals and lesbians took part in the first ceremonies granting full legal recognition to same-sex marriages in April as the world’s first law legalizing the relationships went into effect.
Amsterdam’s mayor wed four couples—three male and one female—at midnight on April 1. “There are two reasons to rejoice: You are celebrating your marriage and you are also celebrating your right to be married,” Mayor Job Cohen said as he performed the ceremonies in Amsterdam’s City Hall. “I admit that 10 years ago I didn’t understand why homosexuals were making such a big deal out of civil marriage. Now I know better,” Cohen said.
Under the legislation enacted last year gay couples are now able to apply for court permission to adopt children after living together for three years, and also receive the same legal rights as traditional married couples in inheritance, pension rights, taxes, and divorce.
Other countries have adopted laws recognizing same-sex unions, but none have put gay “marriage” on the same legal level as traditional marriage. Opposition to the law has been confined to small religious parties, which until a few years ago held crucial positions in ruling coalitions.