Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss right-to-die organization Dignitas, has died by assisted suicide at the age of 92, just days before his 93rd birthday. The group announced his passing, praising his commitment to the principles of freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights.


Since founding Dignitas in 1998, Minelli has been instrumental in providing assistance to thousands of individuals seeking to end their lives in a dignified manner. His advocacy has also coincided with a broader trend in several countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, toward more permissive assisted dying laws, with debates ongoing in places like the UK.


Despite the progress in some regions, critics remain concerned about the potential for vulnerable groups being pressured into such decisions.


Dignitas has highlighted that many of its clients have traveled to Switzerland for assistance because their home countries do not permit assisted dying. Minelli campaigned tirelessly for the right to die and operated under the slogan dignity in life, dignity in death. In a 2010 interview, he articulated his belief that the right to choose one's end without pain should be a fundamental human right.


Beginning his career as a journalist with Der Spiegel, Minelli later turned to law and human rights. His legal adventures regarding assisted dying included numerous successful appeals to the Swiss Supreme Court.


The legacy of Minelli’s work has influenced European legal perspectives, including a 2011 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights affirming individuals' rights to make autonomous decisions about their end of life.


While euthanasia remains illegal in Switzerland, assisted dying, whereby individuals self-administer prescribed lethal drugs, has been legal for decades. Following Minelli’s death, Dignitas has vowed to continue his mission as a professional organization advocating for self-determination and freedom of choice.


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