Dignitas: Founding an assisted dying society

Witness History

In 1998, the assisted dying society, Dignitas was set up in Switzerland by lawyer Ludwig Minelli.

It was the first end-of-life organisation in the world to help foreigners - non-Swiss citizens - to die.

Since then around 4,000 people from 65 different countries have ended their lives with help from the group, which operates under the full name 'Dignitas - To live with dignity. To die with dignity.'

But while 10 countries have legalised assisted dying, most have not. Critics say it can weaken respect for human life, put pressure on the terminally ill to die and lead to worsening end-of-life care.

Ludwig Minelli tells Jane Wilkinson why he believes freedom of choice is so important.

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(Photo: Ludwig Minelli in 2012. Credit: Sebastien Bozon/AFP/GettyImages)