Former Dutch Prime Minister
Dries van Agt
and his wife
Eugenie
died at the same time and holding hands after resorting to
duo euthanasia
.
Both had recently turned 93 years old and their health was very deteriorated.
The news of his death, which occurred on February 5, was announced by the human rights organization founded by Agt,
The Rights Forum
.
“
He died alongside and hand in hand
with his beloved wife Eugenie van Agt-Krekelberg, his support for more than seventy years, and whom he always continued to refer to as 'my girl,'” the organization said in a statement.
The double euthanasia process the couple opted for, legal in the Netherlands, was carried out in Agt's hometown of Nijmegen.
In 2019, Dries had suffered a brain hemorrhage from which he was never able to fully recover.
Her health was very deteriorated, as was Eugenie's.
The director of The Rights Forum told about the marriage decision to the radio station NOS, which reported that in the Netherlands
duo euthanasia
(two people receiving a lethal injection simultaneously) remains relatively rare in the country, although
little by little. Little is gaining more popularity
.
Dries and Eugenie were together for more than 70 years.
In 2022, 29 couples opted for duo euthanasia, while in 2021, 16 and in 2020, 13.
Eugenie van Agt-Krekelberg died hand in hand with her husband.
Who was Dries van Agt?
Dries van Afgt was a former Prime Minister of the current Netherlands, who
served from 1977 to 1982
.
He knew how to lead the conservative party
Christian Democratic Call
(CDA) and then work in the diplomatic corps of the European Economic Community.
He was also the president of the European Council immediately prior to Margaret Thatcher's term.
In addition to being a politician, Agt was a lawyer, professor, diplomat and former Minister of Justice between 1971 and 1977. He retired from politics at the age of 64 to dedicate himself to teaching as a visiting professor.
Dries van Agt was Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
His last years were dedicated to defending the Palestine/Israel issue.
His foundation, active since 2009, was created to promote a “fair and sustainable Dutch and European policy regarding” the conflict.
His position was always in favor of Palestine, so much so that in his speeches he often spoke of “Israeli occupation” as a war crime and believed that the current Prime Minister of Israel,
Benjamin Netanyahu
, should have been sent to the International Criminal Court.
Agt dedicated the last years of his life to defending the Palestinian cause.
Dries and Eugenie had three children and seven grandchildren, including the professional cyclist Eva van Agt.