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Dignitas founder Ludwig Minelli dies by assisted suicide at 92
Ludwig Minelli, the Swiss lawyer and journalist who founded the right-to-die organization Dignitas, died by assisted suicide on Saturday-just days before his 93rd birthday, the group announced. His death marks the end of a decades-long campaign for self-determination in end-of-life choices.
A lifetime advocating for the 'last human right'
Minelli launched Dignitas in 1998 after breaking away from another Swiss assisted-dying group, Exit, which he deemed too restrictive. Under his leadership, Dignitas became globally known for assisting non-Swiss citizens-many traveling from countries where euthanasia remains illegal-to end their lives in Switzerland, where assisted suicide has been legal since 1942 under strict conditions.
The organization's motto, "dignity in life, dignity in death," reflected Minelli's belief that the "last human right" was the freedom to choose one's own end. In a 2010 BBC interview, he argued, "We must struggle to implement this right in our societies-the possibility to die without risk and without pain."
Legal battles and lasting influence
Minelli's work faced persistent criticism, particularly over Dignitas's financial transparency and its willingness to assist non-terminally ill individuals. He successfully defended the organization in multiple appeals to Switzerland's supreme court. A pivotal moment came in 2011, when the European Court of Human Rights upheld the right of mentally competent individuals to decide the "manner and time" of their death-a ruling Dignitas cited as part of Minelli's legacy.
While euthanasia (lethal injection by a physician) remains illegal in Switzerland, assisted suicide is permitted if conducted without profit motive and with proof of the individual's sound judgment. Dignitas has facilitated thousands of deaths since its founding, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Global shifts and ongoing debates
Minelli's advocacy coincided with a gradual shift in global attitudes. Countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have since legalized forms of assisted dying, while the UK House of Lords is currently debating a similar bill. Opponents, however, warn that such laws risk pressuring vulnerable or disabled individuals into ending their lives prematurely.
Born a journalist-he worked as a correspondent for Germany's Der Spiegel-Minelli later studied law, channeling his expertise into human rights activism. Dignitas vowed to continue his mission, calling him a "combative" champion of self-determination "in life and at the end of life."
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Dignitas statement, December 2025
Swiss law in context
Switzerland's 1942 law permits assisted suicide if the person is of sound mind and the act is not driven by "selfish" motives (e.g., financial gain). Unlike euthanasia, the lethal substance is self-administered, typically via a prescribed drug. Dignitas requires medical evaluations and a waiting period, though critics argue its criteria remain broader than those in countries with newer laws.
