Euthanasia in Belgium Five Years after Legalisation

Abstract

In 2002, Belgium became the second country to legalise euthanasia after the Netherlands. Three biannual reports have been published by the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission, the body which monitors the application of the law. This article explores how the Belgian law works and what is known about Belgian euthanasia practice both before and since legalisation.

Keywords: euthanasia, assisted suicide, criminal law, Belgium, medical law, health law, assisted dying