Doctor apologises for criticising euthanasia of 17-year-old

A doctor who criticised the parents of a 17-year-old girl who died by euthanasia in 2023 has apologised during an appearance on the TV program Zomergasten.

Psychiatrist Jim van Os was one of 14 prominent psychiatrists who signed a letter urging the public prosecution office to take action in the case of Milou, a teen suffering from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

“For the parents, it can be incredibly painful to read something like this, and I have also apologized for that,” van Os said on Sunday.

The letter asked the judiciary to investigate the extent to which Milou’s parents and treating physicians had influenced her choice for voluntary euthanasia.

The psychiatrists had never spoken to the girl or her parents and doctors. The federation of doctors KNMG has called the letter  “indecent and unacceptable”.

Milou had suffered from mental health problems from the age of 11 following sexual abuse. She was again sexually abused in an institution by another patient.

After years of treatment and various suicide attempts, she chose euthanasia at the age of 17 on the grounds of unbearable mental suffering.

The psychiatrist who approved her decision acted in accordance with the guidelines, the Regionale Toetsingscommissie Euthanasie found.

The committee reviews all euthanasia procedures to make sure the correct procedures have been followed and reports back to the prosecution service.

The girl’s parents have sued the Public Prosecution Service to disclose the names of all doctors behind the controversial letter. A court in The Hague will give its verdict on Thursday.