A prominent politician has opted to end his life, with the aid of his wife, via legal euthanasia. Dries van Agt, a former Dutch prime minister between 1977 and 1982 and the inaugural leader of the Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal party, died earlier this month in his hometown, Nijmegen, “hand in hand” with his beloved wife, Eugenie. He was 93. The couple had been suffering from deteriorating health for some time, according to local media, but the decision was not made public until now. Van Agt suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2019 while delivering a speech at a commemoration event for Palestinians, and his health never fully recovered. His wife’s condition was also deteriorating, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The pair decided to opt for duo euthanasia, which allows couples to receive fatal injections simultaneously.
Duo euthanasia, which is legal in the Netherlands under certain conditions, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Twenty-nine couples chose the paired death option in 2022, compared to 16 pairs in the previous year, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS. The couple’s choice was based on the fact that they “couldn’t live without each other,” NOS quoted a statement by The Rights Forum, the pro-Palestinian group Van Agt founded in 2009.
The couple’s request to die was granted by Expertisecentrum Euthanasie, which grants roughly 1,000 euthanasia requests per year. A spokesperson for the organization said that a request for duo euthanasia must be approved by two specialists and meet specific criteria, including a diagnosis of incurable disease and uncontrollable pain with no prospect of improvement. The specialist must also verify that the person has a long-held, independent wish to die and is not being pressured by others.
While countries such as the United States, Australia, and many Asian countries uphold strict laws against euthanasia, the Netherlands has permitted assisted suicide since 2002. To be eligible, patients must prove they have uncontrollable pain with no chance of improving and must submit a written request. The patient must also have a family doctor willing to complete the request, and an official review panel must approve the case.
Despite his conservative roots, Van Agt was a progressive and active political figure with a strong voice on issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and human rights. After leaving office, he remained committed to his values, founding The Rights Forum in 2009, which was dedicated to advocating for Palestinian rights. In addition to his political career, he was an accomplished writer and an avid artist. His wife and two sons survive him. PEOPLE has reached out to The Rights Forum for comment.
