UPSC Prelims 2006·GS1·polity-and-governance·social justice and international relations

Which one among the following was the first to legalize euthanasia?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AAustria
  2. BSwitzerland
  3. CNetherlandsCorrect
  4. DCanada

Explanation

The correct answer is Netherlands. In April 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to pass a law legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide. The legislation, known as the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act, officially took effect on April 1, 2002. While Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide since 1942, it has not technically legalized active euthanasia in the same manner. Other countries like Canada and Austria legalized these practices much later.
polity-and-governance: Which one among the following was the first to legalize euthanasia?

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