On Monday, March 10th, 2014, the World Youth Alliance Europe held a seminar, “Pain and Freedom Examined: Euthanasia, Evaluation and Perspectives for the Future.”
The seminar called into discussion the recent extension of the Belgium euthanasia law to children. The Belgian House of Representatives and Senate voted the law into effect in December and February, and the King fulfilled his constitutional obligation to sign it into effect at the beginning of March.
The evening featured a panel of four speakers who each expressed their views on the subject. Carine Brochier, Project Coordinator at the European Institute of Bioethics in Brussels, presented on the content and origin of the particular law legalizing euthanasia for children, as well as the consequences created by such a law. Professor Timothy Devos M.D., hematologist and professor at the University of Leuven, where pediatricians objected to the law extending euthanasia to minors, led a discussion of a letter signed by pediatricians in opposition to the law.
In particular, the pediatricians who signed this letter demonstrated the futility of this law by referring to their own experiences in daily practice. One experience was that children’s choices regarding healthcare were heavily influenced by their relationship with their parents. “One child of divorced parents chose to receive care in hospital instead of at home so that he could see both his parents together” Dr. Devos said. He continued saying that “we (pediatricians) are afraid children will ask to be euthanized thinking it will alleviate their parents’ suffering.”
Lastly, two young individuals, Caroline Dorlodot and Christophe Doat, shared which actions they undertook in order to oppose this law. They also called upon the youth in the audience to brainstorm what future actions they could undertake.
The interactive discussions took place in an environment conducive to the exchange of ideas. Towards the end of the evening the participants turned the discussion towards the issue of palliative care. Palliative care was discussed as the most effective and just solution for young and old patients suffering in the end stages of life. Though interested in palliative care, young people know very little about what palliative care can offer and how it works. Participants agreed that raising awareness of the possibilities of palliative care are important next steps in fighting the recent law.
The World Youth Alliance has taken up a new challenge and the seminar provided an opportunity for WYA Europe to anchor its voice in the midst of the ethical debates Belgian culture is now facing.
Read WYA Europe Regional Director’s letter commenting on the so-called “children’s right to die” here.
Read Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe’s statement denouncing expansion of euthanasia in Belgium to children.
By Priscille Pialoux, WYA Europe Intern and Diana Doat, WYA Europe Intern
[French]
Lundi 10 Mars, la WYA a organisé une conférence: Liberté et douleur examinées : bilan et perspectives de la loi sur l’euthanasie des mineurs.
Au programme, quatre intervenants se sont exprimés sur le sujet. Carine Brochier, manager de projets à l’institut européen de bioéthique à Bruxelles a détaillé le contenu de la loi, son origine, ses conséquences, et l’insécurité qu’elle créait. Timothy Devos, hématologue et professeur de médecine à Leuven a parlé de l’écriture d’une lettre de pédiatres au gouvernement belge, s’indignant de la rapidité de la loi sur l’euthanasie des mineurs. Ces mêmes pédiatres ont voulu mettre en valeur l’inutilité de cette loi lorsqu’ils la mettaient en lien avec leur travail. Enfin, deux jeunes Caroline de Dorlodot et Christophe Doat ont témoigné des actions dans lesquelles ils s’étaient impliqués pour contrer cette loi. Ils ont ainsi interpellé les autres jeunes présents à l’événement quand à de possibles actions à mettre en place.
Le débat était très interactif, dans une atmosphère propice à l’échange. Les perspectives que l’assemblée a imaginé à la fin de cette soirée se sont tournées vers les soins palliatifs. En effet, grâce aux discussions, les soins palliatifs ont émergé comme la solution la plus juste pour l’accompagnement des jeunes et des adultes en fin de vie. Intéressés par le sujet des soins palliatifs, les jeunes ne connaissaient peu leurs moyens d’action. Il semblerait qu’une sensibilisation à ces soins soit la prochaine étape à franchir.
La WYA a donc relevé un défi nouveau et cette soirée a été pour l’ONG une occasion de s’ancrer plus profondément dans l’univers belge et les défis éthiques qu’il soulève.
