New regulations for doctors dealing with euthanasia cases have been criticised as too harsh and difficult to implement by assisted suicide organisations.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/RTS/dos
Español
es
Los médicos suizos adoptan directrices más estrictas para el suicidio asistido
The guidelines agreedExternal link yesterday by the Swiss Medical Association notably state that “assisted suicide for healthy persons is not medically and ethically justifiable”. As such, a healthy person who wants to end their life must in future prove that their suffering is “unbearable”, and that “other options have been unsuccessful or are rejected by the patient as unreasonable”.
Patients should also have at least two meetings – at least two weeks apart – with a doctor before the final decision, for “detailed discussions” to ensure that their desire is “well-considered and enduring”.
The move brings the medical association directly into line with the ethical guidelines agreed in 2018 by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences. While not legally binding, they will form part of the deontological code to be adhered to by doctors in future.
Infringement of rights?
In a joint statement, the major Swiss assisted suicide organisations said the guidelines were legally inadmissible, and would make it more difficult to provide help to those who want to end their lives. Notably, the requirement that a doctor decide on the “severity” of a patient’s condition is an infringement of the individual right to define the extent of one’s subjective suffering, they say.
Jean-Jacques Bise, co-president of the EXIT Suisse romande group, told public radio RTS that the new regulations were unpractical – specifically the requirement to sit for two interviews with a doctor beforehand, which he said would be difficult to enforce in urgent cases.
Swiss law tolerates assisted suicide when patients commit the act themselves and helpers have no vested interest in their death. It has been legal in the country since the 1940s, and assisted suicides represent around 1.5% of the 67,000 deaths recorded on average each year.
More
Why assisted suicide is ‘normal’ in Switzerland
In Switzerland, assisted suicide is considered a legitimate way to end your life.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Norway holds Swiss investments worth over CHF35 billion
This content was published on
The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund holds investments in Switzerland worth CHF 35.5 billion ($39 billion), says Norges Bank CEO Nicolai Tangen.
Flooding of Rhone River causes severe road and rail traffic disruptions
This content was published on
Due to flooding in canton Valais, southern Switzerland, the A9 motorway between Sierre and Sion is closed. Traffic was also severely disrupted on the Simplon railway line.
Two dead after landslide hits southern Switzerland
This content was published on
After a landslide hit the Maggia Valley in canton Ticino, rescuers from Swiss Air-Rescue recovered two bodies on Sunday. One person is still missing.
Swiss beat Italians 2-0 to reach Euro football quarter-finals
This content was published on
Switzerland beat defending champions Italy in Berlin on Saturday night, justifying their status as the tournament's "secret" favourites.
Switzerland must urgently improve electricity distribution, says new sector boss
This content was published on
Switzerland needs to develop its electricity transmission and distribution network, says the new president of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies, Martin Schwab.
Dutch mountaineer dies in Silvretta Alps on Swiss-Austrian border
This content was published on
A Dutch alpinist died in a fall on the Silvrettahorn in eastern Switzerland on Friday while descending the peak, cantonal police announced.
Many Swiss unenthusiastic about Eurovision song contest hosting duties
This content was published on
Less than half of the Swiss population are looking forward to the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Switzerland, says a new survey.
Béjart Ballet: Julien Favreau confirmed as Artistic Director
This content was published on
Julien Favreau has been confirmed as Artistic Director of Béjart Ballet Lausanne. The Frenchman had been acting in this role since February.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Debate
Hosted by:
Kaoru Uda
To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives?
Switzerland legalised assisted suicide in the 1940s. More than 1,000 seriously ill or disabled people end their lives with the help of suicide assistants in Switzerland each year.
Assisted suicide: How a quest for death rekindled the will to live
This content was published on
Aina, a Japanese woman with a rare neurological disorder, came to Basel to die. The journey made her question her motivation.
Assisted suicide option remains in demand in Switzerland
This content was published on
There were no reported assisted suicides due to Covid-19, but the pandemic did force EXIT to reduce its activities between March 20 and May 20 last year, the organisation said on Monday. EXIT Deutsche Schweiz, which covers the German and Italian-speaking parts of the country, saw a rise of 51 assisted suicides as it helped…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.