A relatively small number of couples in the Netherlands choose to die together by euthanasia on the same day and at the same time, although this phenomenon is increasing, reaching several dozen cases each year. This group includes the former prime minister Dries van Agt and his wife Eugenieboth 93 years old, who They spent 70 years together since his student days in Nijmegen.
During his life, Eugenie He was a constant source of support and advice for Van Agt, particularly during his time as Justice Minister, Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. The couple's commitment to causes such as peace in the Middle East also led to their founding The Rights Forum in 2009.
The couple's health deteriorated and they died “hand in hand” surrounded by their loved ones after undergoing euthanasia together, an increasingly common occurrence in many countries Netherlandssaid Fransien van ter Beek, President of the Dutch Association for Voluntary End of Life (NVVE). Dries van Agt, was a conservative in the Catholic faith, but his vision became more and more progressive over the years, so much so that he was surprised to die after euthanasia and live to see the love of his life. “They couldn’t live without each other,” he said. Gerard JonkmanDirector of The Rights Forum.
Doctors examine a couple's application as two separate processes and are subject to the terms of each other case. Photo: Pixabay/Ref.
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How many deaths due to euthanasia have been recorded in the Netherlands?
In 2022, almost 9,000 euthanasias were registered in the country, with 29 couples choosing this route. Euthanasia has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002 under strict conditions and must be monitored by a doctor. Couples cases are treated as individual applications to ensure that undue pressure is not exerted by one party on the other.
Van Agt, whose health deteriorated significantly after a cerebral hemorrhage in 2019, chose euthanasia together with his wife, marking the end of their life together. Although these “duo-euthanasias” represent less than 1% of all cases in the EU Netherlandsreflect the deep personal decision to spend together until the last moment, despite the double loss this means for their families.
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In which South American countries is euthanasia legal?
In South America, euthanasia is only regulated by law in Colombia and Ecuador. They are the only countries in the region that have legalized euthanasia under certain conditions, such as when the patient suffers from a terminal illness, and have expressed consent in a free and informed manner. This process is regulated in detail to ensure that patients' rights are respected and the ethical and legal criteria set by countries are met.
Although there are debates and discussions in other South American countries about legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide, no laws have yet been implemented that explicitly allow these practices. In some cases, as in Peru, There are court rulings that recognize the right to a dignified death in very specific circumstances, but this does not mean a comprehensive legalization or detailed regulation of euthanasia as in Colombia.