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Belgian Senate Votes 50-17 to Approve Bill Extending Euthanasia Law to Some Children

Decriminalizes euthanasia for children suffering from great pain and with a terminal condition

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Belgium's Senate has strongly supported legislation that would extend the country's euthanasia law to children under certain conditions.

Senators on Thursday voted 50-17 in favor of the proposed law. If adopted, it will decriminalize euthanasia for children, if they are in great pain, suffer from a terminal condition and are expected to die soon. The children would have to submit a written request to be euthanized, and be aware of what their request meant. No age limit would be set, but the children would have "to possess the capacity of discernment."