PARIS (AP) — A terminally-ill minor has become the first juvenile who has been helped to die in Belgium since it removed age restrictions on euthanasia two years ago.

Senator Jean-Jacques De Gucht confirmed Saturday that the minor who died was from Belgium's Flemish region and was in the "final stages" of an illness.

Du Gucht, who wrote the country's euthanasia law, wouldn't reveal any details about the patient to protect the grieving family's privacy.

He said it's "terrible when a youngster suffers" and "it's important that society doesn't neglect people in such pain."

De Gucht said Belgium is the only country that allows minors of any age assistance in dying.