Dignitas founder dies by assisted suicide aged 92

The founder of Dignitas, the Switzerland-based assisted suicide clinic, has died aged 92, according to the organisation.

Ludwig Minelli, lawyer and former journalist, died on 29 November shortly before his 93rd birthday.

Mr Minelli lived a life “for freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights”, said Dignitas in a tribute.

He founded the organisation in 1998 with “a group of like-minded people”.

“At that time, he and his fellow compatriots would never have thought that this association was about to become an internationally active organisation,” said the tribute.

It described Mr Minelli’s belief that trying to “talk someone out of suicide is not a suitable prevention method”.

“Rather, the approach should be taking a person in a seemingly hopeless situation seriously, meeting them at eye level, and showing them all possible options to alleviate their suffering.”

Those options should include “the possibility of ending their own life with professional support, safely and in a self-determined way in a setting that he or she personally deems dignified”, it said, adding that a very small number of people who approach Dignitas end up choosing assisted suicide.

“It is up to the individual to decide which option to choose,” said the tribute.

The Dignitas team said Mr Minelli had “planned succession for a seamless transition” and the organisation would continue its “professional and combative” work.

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Although Switzerland has allowed assisted dying since 1942 – provided the motive is not “selfish” – Dignitas became well-known as it allows non-Swiss people to use its clinics.

Despite assisted suicide still being illegal in the UK, people from Great Britain make up the second largest group of Dignitas members, according to the group’s statistics.

Last year, 37 people travelled from Great Britain to die at a Swiss Dignitas clinic.

Those who accompany their loved ones to the clinics can be charged with assisted suicide, although earlier this year, police said a widow who accompanied her husband wouldn’t face charges.

“Whilst [the CPS] concluded the evidential test had been met regarding assisted suicide, it was decided not to be in the public interest to prosecute,” said North Yorkshire Police in a statement at the time.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.