title: [Advance directives: the legal situation in Belgium].
abstract: In 2002, Belgium passed laws on de-criminalizing euthanasia, on palliative care and on patients' rights. These legislations, fundamental in the field of medical law, have sanctioned the patient's right to personal autonomy, as well the principle of freedom of conscience for everyone, including the doctors. The anticipated declarations - or livings wills - both for euthanasia and for the patient's right to refuse medical treatment have become legal.
authors.affiliation: Anwaltskammer Brüssel, Belgien. jherrema@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herremans
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001530:Belgium; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028701:Patient Rights