The evangelical alliance in the Netherlands has called for compassion and stronger palliative care after a child's life was terminated under newly expanded regulations for minors — the first reported case of its kind in the country.
MissieNederland, the body representing evangelical Christians in the Netherlands, said its response was "first and foremost one of compassion."
"We call for prayer for the child's parents and loved ones, as well as for all parents and physicians who are confronted with such heartbreaking decisions," said Saskia de Graaf-Bakker, Public Affairs officer at MissieNederland. "It is difficult to imagine the depth of suffering that could lead a family to such a choice."
De Graaf-Bakker said the alliance does not support euthanasia frameworks for children but strongly backs alternatives.
"Although MissieNederland holds a pro-life position, we do strongly support high-quality, advanced palliative care that seeks to relieve suffering as much as possible," she said. "We believe that excellent palliative care is essential so that parents are supported in accompanying their seriously ill child with dignity and compassion, without feeling compelled to choose a termination of life."
On the specific case, de Graaf-Bakker said few details are publicly available. "What we do know is that the legal criteria are very strict and that, under those guidelines, the child must have been experiencing profound and unbearable suffering."
She said MissieNederland would continue supporting organizations and initiatives advocating for palliative care and alternatives.
"As Christians, we believe that situations like these call for compassion and prayer for the families who find themselves in such tragic circumstances," de Graaf-Bakker added.
The case was confirmed in a government document submitted to the Dutch House of Representatives on June 22 by Minister of Health Sophie Hermans. The briefing notes state that the review committee received "a first notification of termination of life in a child between the ages of 1 and 12" at the end of 2025, and has since completed its assessment.
Active termination of life became legal for children between the ages of 1 and 12 in the Netherlands on February 1, 2024. The law requires that suffering be hopeless and unbearable, that no reasonable alternatives exist, and that parents consent. Children must also be involved in the decision as much as possible.
Like the Christian political parties in the Netherlands and the Dutch Christian Patients' Association NPV, MissieNederland does not support termination of life through these frameworks, de Graaf-Bakker said.
