The WFRtDS is established after three international meetings of existing national right-to-die societies. At the first meeting the attendees formulated the Tokyo Declaration. At the third meeting, the World Federation of Right to Die Societies was founded. In 2018, Statutes have been adapted.
Since its founding, the World Federation has come to include 57 right to die organisations from 28 countries around the world, and has held nineteen additional international conferences , each hosted by one of the member organisations.
a) Co-operation and liaison between voluntary euthanasia and right to die societies
b) The dissemination, possibly by means of an international newsletter, of information and educational material about:
- Voluntary euthanasia and right to die issues and guidances as to the meaning of terms used.
- Legislation and court judgements and other matters likely to be of interest to societies.
c) International conferences on dying and death.
To give assistance where requested in the foundation of similar societies in countries which do not have them.
2. That all voluntary euthanasia and right to die societies be invited to affiliate with the Federation.
Death is unavoidable. But we believe that the manner (and time) of dying should be left to the decision of the individual, assuming such demands do not result in harm to society other than the sadness associated with death.
The Declaration of a person's wishes, or the "Living Will", should be respected by all concerned as an expression of intrinsic human rights. Therefore, at least for the present, we request that this Declaration, or the "Living Will", be made legally effective, and pursuant to this, efforts toward its legalization should be made.
Through the Tokyo International Conference on Euthanasia, or Death with Dignity, the national movements of each country can achieve international cooperation, as well as solidarity. Let us promise ourselves to strive to achieve the above objectives, through the establishment of a liaison center whose purpose will be an exchange of information, as well as the convening of periodically held international conferences.