Legacy of Choice: Dignitas Founder Ludwig Minelli Passes Away at 92

Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss right-to-die organization Dignitas, has died by assisted suicide, the group announced. He was 92 years old, passing just days before his 93rd birthday.

The organization paid tribute to Minelli, recognizing him as a champion of 'freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights.'

Since founding Dignitas in 1998, the organization has assisted thousands of individuals in their pursuit of assisted dying, offering services not just to Swiss citizens but to those from countries where such options are not available.

Minelli's commitment to the cause of assisted dying gained prominence amid changing attitudes across the globe. Nations like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have begun to embrace similar legal frameworks. The UK House of Lords is currently debating an assisted dying bill, reflecting a broader shift in public opinion.

However, critics warn that the legalization of assisted dying could lead to vulnerable individuals facing pressure to choose to end their lives.

Before embarking on this path, Minelli was a journalist for the renowned German publication, Der Spiegel. He later pursued law, igniting his passion for human rights.

Throughout his life, he was a vigorous advocate for the right to die, encapsulating Dignitas’s mission with the slogan: 'dignity in life, dignity in death.' In a 2010 interview, he asserted, 'We have to struggle to implement the last human right in our societies... the right to make a decision on one's own end.'

Minelli's founding of Dignitas was largely driven by his belief that the regulations of the predecessor organization, Exit, were too restrictive.

The group earned international recognition for its willingness to assist non-Swiss citizens, further igniting debates around assisted dying laws. In Switzerland, while euthanasia remains illegal, assisted dying is permissible under strict regulations aimed at safeguarding the decision-making process.

Dignitas noted that it will continue Minelli’s legacy by acting as a professional international organization advocating for self-determination and freedom of choice at life’s end.