Celebrating 15 years of Dutch euthanasia

Michael Cook
February 13, 2016
Reproduced with Permission
BioEdge

Beginning today, the Dutch right-to-die association NVVE is celebrating Euthanasia Week with a selection of documentary films and youth outreach. The festivities mark the 15th year of legal euthanasia in the Netherlands -- although the NVVE seems to be jumping the gun, as the law came into effect on April 1, 2002.

Currently, more than 5,300 people die annually in the Netherlands after euthanasia.

Activities for young people organised by NVVE Jongeren, the youth wing of NVVE, are a significant part of the program. There is a film about a 27-year-old woman who chooses to die. Another feature is Café Doodnormaa l (Dead Normal Café), a monthly discussion group about end-of-life issues and autonomy for young people.

NVVE provides information, consultation and education about euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Netherlands. Its motto is: "A dignified life deserves a dignified death". It claims to have 161,000 members and has a reputation for innovation in end-of-life options. In 2012, for instance, it launched a mobile van service so that people whose own doctors had refused to euthanase them could get a more compliant doctor.

Another event organised by the NVVE is a three-day international conference in May -- Euthanasia 2016: professional challenges . On the program are discussions on euthanasing couples, self-euthanasia, euthanasia for people suffering from dementia, and scrutiny and accountability.

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