Terminally-ill minor in Belgium helped to die for first time

While details were not disclosed, even the age, he described it as an exceptional case of a child with a terminal illness living in the Flemish-speaking section of Belgium.

A 17-year-old has ended their life through doctor-assisted suicide in Belgium, the head of the National Committee for Euthanasia said.

It lifted age restrictions in early 2014, and is the only country where minors of any age suffering constant, unbearable pain are allowed to choose euthanasia. He said doctors had induced death by "palliative sedation".

The Belgian amendment, which was passed after much debate - notably over the meaning of a required "capacity of discernment" - offers the possibility of euthanasia to children "in a hopeless medical situation of constant and unbearable suffering that can not be eased and which will cause death in the short term".

Jacqueline Herremans President of Mourir dans la dignité association said: "The death of a child is only foreseeable at the last minute, which means for example that for a child victim of a sporting accident or a auto accident that left them paralysed, the law would not cover this".

Between 2003 and 2013 a total of 8,752 people were euthanised in Belgium, according to the national euthanasia control committee.

Many people, including church leaders and some paediatricians, questioned whether children would be able to make such a hard choice.

Parental consent is also required.

Belgium and The Netherlands are the only two countries where euthanasia is permitted for patients under 18 years old. "I have my (euthanasia) papers in my hand, but I'm still enjoying every little moment", she told reporters. In the Netherlands, the age limit is set at 12.

Switzerland also permits assisted suicide provided the person assisting "acts unselfishly". They must have a terminal illness as well as a prognosis of six months or less to live.