The Belgian Federal Commission for Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia reported that almost 3,000 people (2,966) died from euthanasia in 2022.
Already in 2021 the country already had a record number of euthanasia deaths, but in 2022 “the number increased by 9.85% compared to 2021.
The majority of euthanasia patients (69.9%) were older than 70 years, with 42.2% older than 80 years. Only 1.2% of those who requested euthanasia were under 40 years of age.
The Commission reported that in 2022, 513 cases (17.3%) of euthanasia were reported for “people whose death is not expected in the foreseeable future”.
Most of them (239) suffered from multiple pathologies, cognitive disorders (41), psychiatric disorders (24), various non-terminal physical conditions, including arthritis, eye and hearing disorders, chromosomal abnormalities and congenital abnormalities. . among others
Of terminal patients who requested euthanasia, nearly 60% had cancer.
“Requests for euthanasia due to psychiatric conditions such as mood disorders (0.9%) and Alzheimer’s and other dementias (1.4%) remained rare,” the Commission noted.
In addition, 19 people died by euthanasia in 2022 without being able to give consent, with advance directives.
“Belgian euthanasia law does not need to be Belgian. More and more barbarians realized this and came to Belgium via the Internet,” the Commission explained.
In 2022, the number increased, with 61 patients residing abroad undergoing euthanasia in Belgium. They came mainly from France (53), but also from Australia, Denmark, Hungary, Kenya, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine.
According to the government report, “these are patients with a somatic condition such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The age of most of these outpatients ranged from 50 to 79 years.
Belgium was a pioneer in implementing euthanasia policies in Europe. Other countries that have recently passed similar “dying by dying” laws include Austria and Spain.
Portugal continues through a heated debate over the issue involving the country’s parliament and president. Italy also saw the Supreme Court intervene.
France is also struggling to reach a consensus on euthanasia reform.
In an interview with Professor John Wyatt, an expert in Christian bioethics, he talks about the reasons behind the increase in euthanasia and other ethical challenges in today’s society.
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Posted in: DIGITAL EVANGELICAL – WORLD – BELGIUM | Euthanasia deaths increased by 10% in 2022
