Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss right-to-die organization Dignitas, has died by assisted suicide, the organization has confirmed. He passed away on Saturday at the age of 92, just days before what would have been his 93rd birthday.
Dignitas honored Minelli's life's work, noting that he dedicated himself to the principles of freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights. Founded in 1998, Dignitas has facilitated assisted dying for thousands, drawing attention to the right for individuals to decide the course of their end-of-life care.
In recent years, the landscape surrounding assisted dying has evolved, with countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand implementing legislation to support these choices. The UK House of Lords is currently deliberating an assisted dying bill.
Critics express concerns that legalized assisted dying may lead to vulnerable individuals feeling pressured to end their lives. Minelli began his professional journey as a journalist with the German news magazine Der Spiegel but later shifted focus to law and human rights activism.
Throughout his life, he championed the right to die, coining the slogan 'dignity in life, dignity in death' for Dignitas. In a 2010 interview with the BBC, Minelli articulated the necessity of fighting for the right to die peacefully and painlessly, viewing it as a fundamental human right.
Minelli departed from the earlier Swiss assisted dying organization, Exit, citing restrictive policies as a reason. Under his leadership, Dignitas gained international acclaim, particularly for its willingness to assist non-Swiss citizens seeking an end to suffering in a country where such actions are lawful.
However, he faced criticism within Switzerland, facing legal challenges regarding financial transparency and offering services to individuals who were not terminally ill but wished to end their lives. The organization became entwined in discussions around the ethics and legality of assisted dying, with Minelli achieving multiple successful appeals to the Swiss supreme court.
Dignitas released a statement acknowledging that Minelli's contributions have left a significant mark, referencing the 2011 European Court of Human Rights ruling that affirmed the right of capable individuals to decide their end-of-life choices.
While euthanasia remains illegal in Switzerland, assisted dying has been permitted under strict conditions since 1942, including a requirement that there be no profit motive and that the individual is of sound mind.
Following Minelli's death, Dignitas pledged to continue its mission of advocating for self-determination and freedom of choice in life and at the end of life.
