[The termination of life in the Netherlands and in Europe]

Medical decisions concerning the end of life, including the termination of life, are taken not only in the Netherlands but in other European countries as well. In some of these countries, the social pressure to reform legislation is increasing. The World Medical Association remains strongly opposed to any involvement of physicians in bringing about people's death, but the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights so far do not prohibit national laws to regulate euthanasia. Whilst in other countries there is debate on whether permissive legislation should be adopted, in the Netherlands the emphasis is now on the development of instruments aimed at the quality and transparency of medical practice as well as on the improvement of the notification procedure, reducing the gap between medical and juridical reality.