A global resource for understanding the right to die.
Information from the Federation on assisted dying: the terms used around the world, research and official reports, and changes in the law.
Why we say “assisted dying”.
The language of end-of-life choice is complex and often contested, and each jurisdiction uses the terms that suit its own social, cultural and legal setting. For clarity and unity, the Federation adopted one global term at its 2022 General Assembly in Canada: whatever the legal method or the place, we say (voluntary) assisted dying.
The Federation chose it because it believes the term describes the process most accurately.
- Voluntary
The decision to seek an assisted death must be voluntary, and made without pressure or coercion.
- Assisted
By health practitioners. If a person is eligible and wishes to go ahead, they either take a substance prescribed by a doctor themselves, or an experienced doctor or nurse gives it to them.
- Dying
To be eligible, the person must be terminally ill, or suffering unbearably, according to the law in each jurisdiction.
Our knowledge library.
Publications and educational materials on assisted dying from around the world. Filter by type or region, or search for a title, topic or place.
16 publications
- Academic Patients’ experiences of unbearable suffering in assisted dying requests in Spain and Switzerland: A qualitative study of common patterns of expressions Iris Parra Jounou 1, Solenne Blanc 2, Janet Delgado 3, Mar Vallès-Poch 4 5, María Victoria Martínez-López 6, Rosana Triviño-Caballero 7, David Rodríguez-Arias 8, Claudia Gamondi 9 Europe, Spain
- Academic An Investigative Analysis of Implementation Barriers Across U.S. Jurisdictions Where Medical Aid in Dying is Legal North America, United States
- Public Belgium publishes the latest annual report on Assisted Dying In 2025, 4486 euthanasia registration documents were received and examined by the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia, marking… Belgium, Europe
- Public ‘Voluntary assisted dying is an overwhelming public policy success’ Ten years since our founding, Go Gentle Australia is proud to present the 2026 State of VAD report. The report gives an… Australia, Pacific
- Medical The Netherlands publishes its 2025 Report on Assisted Dying In 2025, the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees (RTE) received 10,341 notifications. This is 3.8% more than in 2024. The number of euthanasia… Europe, Netherlands
- Public Understanding Medical Assistance in Dying If you’ve ever tried to read Canada’s MAiD legislation and found yourself overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In this video, we walk through… Canada, North America
- Academic Truchon v Canada The Court decision from Canada that brilliantly articulated the arguments for and against assisted dying. Canada: Quebec: Montreal: Superior Court 2019 September… Canada, North America
- Public Informe Anual 2024 sobre la Prestación de Ayuda para Morir Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de 24 de marzo, de Regulación de la Eutanasia Deciembre 2025
- Medical Is Assisted Death Always Peaceful? Lack of Data Means We Simply Don’t Know Manuela Callari Firstr appeared in Medscape -February 03, 2026 The scene was meticulously set for a final, serene farewell. Family and friends… Europe
- Medical The Role of Medical Ethics in Voluntary Assisted Dying: A Regulatory Space Analysis. Ben P White, Casey M Haining, Madeleine Archer Bioethics | Published : 2026 DOI: 10.1111/bioe.70075 Abstract This article reflects on the role of… Australia, Pacific
- Public A wicked problem: The complexity of dementia and voluntary assisted dying By Dr Kylie Ladd (PhD) Research commissioned by Go Gentle Australia Published January 2025 … Australia, Pacific
- Medical Clinical practice and pharmacology decisions of medical aid-in-dying providers in the United States Request Permissions If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you… North America, United States
- Public New and Emerging Right to Die Options: 12 Ways to Avoid Late-Stage Dementia by Thad Pope While current medical advances help us live longer, they often fail to ensure a life of sufficient quality and dignity, especially for…
- Academic Voluntary assisted dying—Australia in an international contex Katrine Del Villar, Lindy Willmott, Ben P White, Voluntary assisted dying—Australia in an international context, Medical Law Review, Volume 33, Issue 3, Summer… Australia, Pacific
- Public Nuffield Trust (United Kingdom) Assisted dying in practice. International experiences and implications for health and social care
- Medical Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP) Key Pillars of a Robust, System-wide Quality Improvement Framework in Medical Assistance in Dying
Unless specifically indicated, all of the resources shared here are intended only for personal use and personal research purposes. If you plan to use any of them for publication or reproduction, you must satisfy yourself that you have obtained the necessary rights to do so.
How we share knowledge.
The Federation shares information on assisted dying and end-of-life care with member societies, researchers and the public.
-
Sharing research
We provide educational materials on self-determination and end-of-life care to scholars, activist groups and the public.
-
Global conferences
Our biennial conferences let member societies share legal strategies and medical expertise across borders.
-
Supporting new societies
We help activists set up new right-to-die societies in countries where none exist yet.
-
Legal advocacy
We link networks of lawyers to share expertise on court cases, and help member societies draft new laws.
Become part of the Federation.
Organisations can join as members. Individuals can become supporters.
Become a member organisation
Member societies share legal expertise and campaign materials, and the federation speaks for them at international forums.
Download the membership form →Become a supporter
Individuals can become supporters of the Federation for €25 a year.
Download the supporter form →Stay up to date
The latest law changes, research and events from our member societies in more than 30 countries, in our newsletter.
Sign up below →