Dutch parents seek identity of doctors behind controversial euthanasia letter

The parents of Milou, a 17-year-old who underwent euthanasia in 2023 due to hopeless psychological suffering, have approached a court in The Hague to compel the Public Prosecution Service to reveal the identities of medical professionals involved in a controversial letter.

The letter, signed by fourteen psychiatrists and doctors, requested a criminal investigation into whether the parents and two psychiatrists influenced Milou’s decision. The signatories also suggested she may not have been fully mentally competent at the time. While six signatories have been identified, eight remain anonymous despite the parents' requests.

The parents testified that the letter has led to severe consequences, including death threats and harassment at their home via email and social media. They stated, “All sense of security is gone,” and noted that police are currently surveilling their residence.

The Regional Euthanasia Review Committees previously ruled that the legal requirements for due care were met in this case. The parents' lawyer noted that the family faces daily accusations of inciting or being complicit in their daughter's death.