End-of-Life Practices in the Netherlands

In 2002, an act regulating the ending of life by a physician at the request of a patient with unbearable suffering came into effect in the Netherlands. In 2005, a follow-up study of euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and other end-of-life practices was performed. In 2005, of all deaths in the Netherlands, 1.7% were the result of euthanasia and 0.1% were the result of physician-assisted suicide. These percentages were significantly lower than those in 2001. The Embassy of Netherlands to Rome has invited the Luca Coscioni Association to an informal meeting for the introduction of 2007 report on the application of Dutch law. Please find enclosed an article in English and the full report in Dutch.