In 2007, Genevieve Lhermitte murdered her five children and made an unsuccessful attempt to kill herself. After a period in hospital, she was sentenced to life in prison. She apparently felt huge guilt over what she had done, and in 2019, was transferred to a psychiatric hospital. She continued to suffer from depression and requested that she be euthanized on the anniversary of the murder. This is permitted under Belgium law as she was suffering from “”unbearable” psychological, and not just physical, suffering that cannot be healed.”
Belgium certainly has a liberal approach to the concept of medically assisted death and even extends this to children. Although I am a supporter of medically assisted death, the parameters described in this story certainly stretch the concept.
I have a couple of questions to start the process:
- Do you support the concept of medically assisted death
- What (if any) constraints should be put on this process
Approved ~ FS
Ken Campbell
Article URL : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64835051