New WF member Verein StHD (as is the case for the German Dignitas section) possibly falls under a German penal law under discussion, according to which certain forms of suicide assistance will be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years. Roger Kusch’s Verein StHD has opened a branch in Zürich, in addition to the first office in Hamburg. Up to now this Zurich agency should serve only to look after the South German members of Sterbehilfe Germany.
However, soon it could also additionally help the association to be at a place where there is no ban for certain. In Switzerland suicide assistance, and supplying of deadly drugs,is permitted under the well-known strict conditions.
It is really unclear what will happen. Currently the Bundestag has a bill of federal Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (FDP) on the agenda. The minister wants to punish only commercialsuicide assistance (it is not clear what “commercial” implies), which would be punishable with three years imprisonment. All other forms of suicide assistance will remain not subject to prosecution, as before.