{
  "id": 4597035,
  "title": "Doctor apologises for criticising euthanasia of 17-year-old",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/doctor-apologises-for-criticising-euthanasia-of-17-year-old",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-31T07:46:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DutchNews",
    "slug": "dutchnews",
    "url": "https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/08/doctor-apologises-for-criticising-euthanasia-of-17-year-old/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A psychiatrist who once criticized parents for their 17-year-old daughter's decision to choose euthanasia has now offered an apology during a TV appearance. Psychiatrist Jim van Os was among 14 prominent psychiatrists who signed a letter urging the public prosecution office to intervene in the case of Milou, a teenager battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. In an interview on Zomergasten, van Os expressed remorse for causing pain to the parents through his previous comments. The letter questioned the role of Milou's parents and treating physicians in her decision for voluntary euthanasia, without ever meeting the girl or her family. The psychiatrists who drafted the letter have since been condemned by the Dutch Doctors' Federation (KNMG) as \"indecent and unacceptable.\" Milou had been dealing with mental health issues since the age of 11, following sexual abuse, and was sexually abused again in an institution by a fellow patient. After enduring years of treatment and multiple suicide attempts, she opted for euthanasia at 17 due to unbearable mental suffering. The psychiatrist who endorsed her decision acted in line with the established guidelines, as confirmed by the Regionale Toetsingscommissie Euthanasie, which reviews all euthanasia procedures to ensure proper adherence to protocol. The girl's parents have taken legal action against the Public Prosecution Service to uncover the identities of the doctors involved in the controversial letter. A court in The Hague will deliver its ruling on Thursday.",
  "summary": "A doctor who criticised the parents of a 17-year-old girl who died by euthanasia in 2023 has apologised during an...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}