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Reviewing the Review Procedure in Dutch Euthanasia Law
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 June 2016
The Dutch Euthanasia Act seems to be set in stone. Since it took effect in 2002, it has not seen any significant amendments. Recent developments, however, indicate that a major component of the act—the review procedure—is due for revision. The review practice of the regional euthanasia review committees—responsible for applying and interpreting the law—now also extends to instances of euthanasia and assisted suicide for special categories of patients: psychiatric patients, patients with early-stage dementia, and patients whose suffering is derived from a combination of medical and existential causes. In this article, it is argued that a reconsideration of the review practice for these new cases is necessary primarily because review committees lack the legitimacy needed for the development of policies with such a large impact on society.
1. Dutch Criminal Code, section 293, para. 1, and section 294, para. 1.
2. Dutch Criminal Code, section 293, para. 2, and section 294, para. 2.
3. Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie. Jaarverslag 2012. Den Haag; 2013, at 64.
4. ZonMw. Tweede Evaluatie Wet toetsing levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding. Den Haag; 2012, at 284.
5. Euthanasia Act, section 2, para. 1.
6. See Aanhangsel Handelingen II; 2013/14, no. 1168, at 1. See also Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie, Jaarverslag 2013. Den Haag; 2014, at 9.
7. Aanhangsel Handelingen II; 2013/14, no. 1168, at 1.
8. HR 21 June 1994, NJ 1994, 656.
9. See Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie website: http://www.euthanasiecommissie.nl/uitspraken-en-uitleg/p/psychiatrische-aandoeningen/ (last accessed 8 April 2016).
10. NVvP. Richtlijn omgaan met het verzoek om hulp bij zelfdoding door patiënten met een psychiatrische stoornis. Utrecht; 2009, at 30–9.
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12. See note 3, Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie 2013.
13. Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie. Jaarverslag 2010. Den Haag; 2011. Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie. Jaarverslag 2009. Den Haag; 2010. Regionale Toetsingscommissies.
14. See note 3, Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie 2013, at 15–16.
15. HR 24 December 2002, NJ 2003, 167.
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18. Handelingen II; 2011/12, no. 68, at 36–7.
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20. See note 19, KNMG 2011, at 39–40.
21. See note 19, KNMG 2011.
22. See note 19, KNMG 2011.
23. See note 13, Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie 2011, case 11, at 31–4.
24. See note 13, Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie 2011, case 11.
25. Zwanenburg E. Toetsing euthanasie stilzwijgend versoepeld. Medisch Contact 2011:2128–30. See also den Hartogh G. Voltooid leven: Binnen of buiten het wettelijk kader. Nederlands Juristenblad 2011:224–30.
26. See note 4, ZonMw 2012, at 222.
27. See Aanhangsel Handelingen II; 2013/14, no. 1168.
28. See the Medical Research Involving Subjects Act.
29. See note 3, Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie 2013, at 64.
30. See the Euthanasia Act, section 9, para. 1.
