Euthanasia has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002, subject to specific conditions. However, ‘duo euthanasia’ has regained prominence after former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt (93) died by euthanasia “hand in hand” with his wife Eugenie (93).
According to The Guardian, 26 people were granted euthanasia alongside their partners in 2020. The number of couples who chose duo euthanasia increased to 32 in 2021 and to 58 in 2022.
Former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt and his wife were married for 70 years.
What is duo-euthanasia?
The couple’s death was announced last week by The Rights Forum, a group founded by Van Agt to support the Palestinian cause. According to the group, the couple passed away “together and hand in hand.”
Both of them were said to be seriously ill. Van Agt suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2019. He never fully recovered.
“Interest in this is growing, but it is still rare,” said Elke Swart, spokesperson for the Expertisecentrum Euthanasie which clears the euthanasia wish of people in the Netherlands. About 1000 people are granted euthanasia every year.
“It is a pure chance that two people are suffering unbearably with no prospect of relief at the same time… and that they both wish for euthanasia,” she said, as quoted by The Guardian.
Couples choosing duo euthanasia need to go through strict tests individually
The six conditions under which euthanasia is granted in the Netherlands include unbearable suffering with no prospect of relief and also an independent, long-held wish for death.
Couples choosing duo euthanasia need to go through strict tests individually, as they are not considered together while granting euthanasia.
Duo euthanasia still represents a small percentage. In the year 2022, there were 5.1 percent of deaths in the country, but many people reportedly expressed their wish.