World News

Belgian lawmakers extend euthanasia to kids

音声ダウンロード

Belgian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Feb. 13 to extend the country's euthanasia law to children under 18.

The law empowers children with terminal ailments who are in great pain to ask to be put to death by their doctor if their parents agree and a psychiatrist or psychologist certifies they are aware of what their choice signifies.

It has wide public support, but was opposed by some pediatricians and Roman Catholic clergy.

Belgium's euthanasia law, passed in 2002, previously applied only to legal adults. (AP)

ベルギーで子供の安楽死が合法に

ベルギーの議会は２月13日、安楽死の対象者に関する年齢制限を撤廃する法案を賛成多数で可決した。安楽死に年齢制限を設けないのは世界で初めてだ。

The Japan Times ST: February 28, 2014