The Dutch Die with Dignity

The decision, passed by 46 votes to 26, marks the first time a country has formally legislated assisted suicide.

Although euthanasia has been tolerated in the Netherlands for 25 years, the decision to officially sanction it has outraged pro-life groups both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Thousands of Dutch Christians and members of other religious groups staged a silent protest in The Hague against what they consider a violation of god's will.

In Germany the organization of Protestant and Catholic bishops criticized the Dutch Senate and appealed to European politicians to oppose similar laws in their countries.

In the past, every case of assisted suicide in the Netherlands had to be approved by the public prosecutor. Now under the new law, doctors have the authority to practice euthanasia without fear of legal repercussions.

Based on requirements established by the Royal Dutch Medical Association, the law allows a doctor to assist a patient with mercy suicide only if the following criteria are met: the patient makes a voluntary request, the request must be well considered, the wish for death is durable, the patient is in unacceptable suffering, and the physician has consulted a colleague who agrees with the proposed course of action.

If these requirements are not followed, the doctor responsible for the suicide could face up to 12 years in prison.