Netherlands (euthanasia legislation)

The Netherlands has established laws permitting euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide under strict conditions. Patients seeking euthanasia must be experiencing unbearable and hopeless suffering with no alternatives, and their request must be voluntary and well-considered. Physicians are required to conduct thorough assessments, discuss options, and ensure the patient's informed consent. The procedure must be performed with due medical care, and doctors are generally required to report completed cases to authorities for review. This legal framework, one of the earliest in the world, aims to balance individual autonomy with safeguards to prevent misuse or harm.