The Dutch government has announced that euthanasia for young children suffering from incurable diseases that cause them intolerable suffering will be permitted in the Netherlands , in response to demands raised by Dutch pediatricians for years.

The government explained that this measure concerns a "small group" of five to ten children under the age of twelve a year, for whom "palliative care options are unable to alleviate their suffering."

Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said, "This matter will concern children with a severe illness or disorder whose end will be inevitable death ... expected in the foreseeable future."

In a letter to Parliament, he stressed that assisted dying would be possible "when it is the only reasonable alternative for a physician to end the child's unbearably severe suffering".

Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands for people over the age of 12 who can give their consent, and for children under one year of age with parental consent.

In February 2014, Belgium became the first country in the world to allow minors "with the ability to discriminate" to opt for euthanasia without age limits.

After re-evaluating the existing rules, the Dutch government also decided to extend assisted termination services "to children between the ages of 1 and 12".

The decision comes after years of controversy, and even faced opposition within the ruling coalition headed by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which includes two Christian-influenced parties.

The new rules are expected to be published this year, according to the government, and subject to a review a few years after they come into force.

On April 1, 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to allow euthanasia, and Belgium quickly followed suit.

Every year in the Netherlands, an increasing number of people resort to euthanasia, and their number reached 8,700 last year, according to official figures. Most of them suffer from incurable cancer.