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EDITORIAL Dear reader Assisted dying is still prohibited by law in many countries. Free and responsible citizens continue to be patronised and prevented against their will from ending their suffering and life in a manner they personally consider dignified. Relatives and friends who respect the wish of a seriously ill person to die and who give him or her their support are still being treated as criminals. Freedom of choice, self-determination and self-responsibility in life and at life’s end: this is what “DIGNITAS – To live with dignity – To die with dignity” continues to work for internationally; in its political and legal work, in its daily advising of individuals seeking help, and in preparing and providing assisted suicide for suffering individuals who have made a clear and well-considered choice and who are still denied this right in their home country.Feel free to share our newsletter with other interested parties. You are also welcome to show support for our goals and international activities by joining as a member or by making a donation. The DIGNITAS team COUNTRY UPDATE  ENGLAND AND WALES The House of Commons approves the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillOn 20 June 2025, the House of Commons passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, by 314 votes in favour to 291 against after extensive debate and numerous amendments. With this bill, for the first time in ten years, there is a chance that assisted dying … read more  FRANCE Despite green light by the Assemblée: assisted dying remains a political pawn On 27 May 2025, after several days of intensive and largely balanced debate, the Assemblée voted on two bills at first reading, one on palliative care and one on assisted dying (“Aide à mourir”). Whilst the bill on palliative care was uncontroversial and got approved without any problems, the assisted dying bill … read more INSIDE DIGNITAS Series: Insights into working at DIGNITAS Part 2: An interview with Myriam* from the Planning Team What brought you to DIGNITAS ? I wanted a job where I could be closer to people. I wasn’t specifically thinking of DIGNITAS, but then the job advert caught my eye because – in addition to certain basic requirements such as fluency in several languages – they were looking for suitable personalities. What are the main tasks of the Planning Team? The Planning Team examines DIGNITAS members’ requests for physician-supported assisted suicide and coordinates the process up to the “provisional green light”[1]. If the member later decides to make use of an assisted suicide, the Planning Team is also responsible for planning and organising the actual assistance. Who are you in contact with? We work very closely with the member right from the start, sometimes also with their relatives. We also liaise with external parties such as doctors, the pharmacy and the undertaker. There is also a constant exchange of information internally, for example with the team that coordinates the necessary official documents and with the team that accompanies members on the day of the procedure. What do you particularly like about working in the Planning Team and at DIGNITAS in general? The work in the Planning Team is extremely varied. I hold many strings in my hand, and I am in touch with a wide variety of people from many countries and cultures, both in writing and by telephone. No two days are the same and every path to an assisted suicide is different. Of course, many details must be taken into account and there are non-negotiable requirements to be met. Nevertheless, a lot of unexpected things happen. I always have to adapt to new situations and react to them. I like that a lot, it is very enriching. At DIGNITAS, I appreciate the fact that I can work very independently and still feel to be in good hands. You are listened to and can have a say in many decisions. I very much value this work culture and the appreciation as a person wich I experience in my job. Which situations are particularly moving for you? For me personally, the sometimes very difficult stories of young people can be hard to digest. Or those of people whose life stories have a particular similarity to my own. What helps you in difficult situations? At work, the dialogue within the team and the fact that, if needed, you can simply go out and get some fresh air. In my private life, I am fortunately able to detach well from work and find balance with my family and doing sports. What qualities are important for this job? Organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to deal with the unexpected. A certain rigour also, coupled with empathy. How has working at DIGNITAS changed you? I have become more relaxed and have grown enormously as a person. At DIGNITAS, I have learned to focus on finding solutions rather than letting myself be taken in by problems. This is something I also benefit from outside of work. I have become much calmer and confident in difficult situations. You should seize the day and celebrate, enjoy the here and now much more, and make time for the essentials. ___ * Myriam has been working at DIGNITAS for almost four years. In addition to her work in the Planning Team, she also accompanies members during an assisted suicide. [1] ‘”Provisional green light”: Confirmation by a Swiss doctor that, based on a member’s current medical documentation and overall life situation, he would be prepared in principle to issue a prescription for the lethal medication for the member. WORTH SEEING / READING …Assisted suicide in the Swiss penal system In his article “The state has a duty to allow an end of life in dignity behind prison bars”, penitentiary scientist and prison expert Benjamin F. Brägger explains the legal situation in Switzerland regarding assisted suicide and the right to self-determination regarding the time and manner of one’s own end of life in the penal system. DID YOU KNOW THAT …… in Switzerland every assisted suicide is investigated by the authorities? In Switzerland, an assisted suicide is legally classified as an “unusual death”. The accompanying persons are therefore obliged to report the death to the police. The police come on site and report the death to the public prosecutor’s office for the legal investigation and the medical officer for the examination of the body. These examinations are carried out for every non-natural death. Based on the situation on site and the documents available, it is ensured that in the specific case of assistance in suicide there are no indications of a criminal offence such as inciting suicide, or homicide. Assisted suicide is a criminal offence in Switzerland if it is carried out for selfish motives. Copyright © 2025 DIGNITAS – To live with dignity – To die with dignity, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list |
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