New figures show that that both assisted suicides and deaths by euthanasia now make up 2.8% of all deaths in the Netherlands.
Assisted suicide and euthanasia* have been legal in Holland since 2002. Since that time there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths by these causes.
Figures from regional monitoring groups indicate an 18% rise in euthanasia cases to a total of 3,695. Deaths by euthanasia have doubled over the past 6 years.
49 people in the early stages of dementia were euthanized, double the number of those in 2010.
The number of psychiatric patients who were helped in taking their own lives saw an even sharper increase; 13 compared to just two in 2010.
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented:
“These figures are harrowing. The fact that nearly three from every 100 people in Holland die by assisted means is extremely alarming.
“It is no coincidence that this sharp increase coincides with the European economic crisis. When resources are limited, the most vulnerable are at risk.
“We must do all we can to protect the vulnerable and prevent any change in the law in Britain which would allow assisted dying”.
*Assisted suicide refers to one person helping another to end their own life, usually by providing drugs or equipment to do so. Euthanasia refers to another person ending the life. In Holland, it is understood as “termination of life by a doctor at the request of a patient”.
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