A physically healthy woman who had battled for years to get approval for assisted dying has passed away by euthanasia.
Zoraya Ter Beek, 29, made the decision to end her life with assisted dying on the grounds of unbearable mental suffering.
It had taken three and a half years to get final approval to go ahead with her decision, but her case sparked a widespread debate about the ethics of allowing people to die by euthanasia if they are not terminally ill.
Her death was confirmed by her friend Martin, whom she'd given permission to share updates on her case after leaving social media, who confirmed she died on May 22.
He took to Twitter to share a tribute to Zoraya, writing: "For the people who called it a bluff, who called her an attention w***e.
"Apologize and go sit in a corner. Ask yourself, are you part of the problem, or the solution?"
Alongside the message, he shared a screenshot of a post, writing: "Zoraya died today at 13:25 through euthanasia, she passed away humanely.
"Or as she saw it herself: she went to sleep...
"She has publicly shared her euthanasia trial based on psychological suffering for more than 3+ years in order to gain more understanding, knowledge, and mildness. (And to raise awareness to the waiting list problem with the expertise center.)
"As a result, many kind people started walking the path with her in spirit. Thank you for that."
He added that Zoraya had chosen some photos of herself which could be used for commemorative tweets, adding: "Her last wish/request was to leave her loved ones alone and, if possible, to swallow disrespectful reactions!
"She understood that euthanasia is controversial for many, especially abroad."
Just last week, Zoraya opened up about the messages she received from critics trying to make her change her mind, and her response to those who thought she shouldn't go through with it.
She had received the final approval for assisted dying just a week earlier after the process took three and a half years due to a law passed in the Netherlands in 2002.
While assisted dying for people with psychiatric conditions remains rare in the Netherlands, numbers have risen, from just two cases in 2010, to 138 in 2023, however, it remains just 1.5% of the total euthanasia deaths, as reported by the Guardian.
After speaking out about her decision in April, she faced a huge reaction, particularly from those who disagreed with assisted dying on mental health grounds.
She told the outlet: "People think that when you’re mentally ill, you can’t think straight, which is insulting.
"I understand the fears that some disabled people have about assisted dying, and worries about people being under pressure to die.
"But in the Netherlands, we’ve had this law for more than 20 years. There are really strict rules, and it’s really safe."
It took over three years of assessments with medical professionals for her case to be approved. Credit: Javi Sanz/Getty Images
In order to be eligible for assisted dying, a person must be living with "unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement” and be fully informed and competent to make the decision.
Zoraya's mental suffering began in childhood and she was diagnosed with chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, and unspecified personality disorder, as well as autism.
She had hoped that things would ease after meeting her partner and living in a safe environment together, but found she still felt suicidal and would self-harm.
Throughout the next decade, she underwent many intensive treatments including 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as well as medication and talking therapies, and while it helped her learn about herself and coping strategies, it did not fix the "main issues".
After 10 years of trying, Zoraya found there was "nothing left" that could help her, and struggled to cope with life, applying for assisted dying in December 2020.
She had considered taking her own life, but seeing the impact a friend's suicide had on their friends and family made her certain it was not the right decision for her.
Zoraya revealed that she was planning to spend her final moments on the sofa in her flat she shared with her partner and her cats, where the drugs to end her life would be administered, adding: "I feel relief. It’s been such a long fight."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org..jpg_5L1AaY?tr=h-40)
.jpg_5L1AaY?tr=h-184)
