The founder of the Swiss right-to-die organization Dignitas has passed away through assisted death, as announced by the association on Saturday. Ludwig A. Minelli was a trailblazer in the realm of assisted death, having spearheaded initiatives to decriminalize it in Germany in 2020. Minelli passed away on November 29, 2025, just prior to his 93rd birthday. He established the organization “Dignitas – To live with dignity – To die with dignity” in 1998 and encountered numerous legal obstacles. He successfully appealed to both the Swiss Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on several occasions. Minelli commenced his career as a journalist with a Swiss newspaper in 1956 and served as the first correspondent for the German news magazine Der Spiegel in Switzerland from 1964 to 1974. He subsequently pursued a law degree and significantly influenced Swiss legislation. Dignitas referenced a 2011 ECHR ruling that affirmed the right of a person capable of judgment to determine the manner and timing of their own end of life. The organization characterized Minelli as a “tenacious and unyielding advocate” in the defense of individuals’ autonomy to make essential choices regarding their lives.
What to understand regarding assisted death in Germany
Dignitas stated that Minelli’s efforts were vital for the decriminalization of assisted suicide services in Germany. In 2020, Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court determined that individuals possess a constitutional right to a self-determined death. In a recent discussion with the German publication FOCUS Online, Dr. Martin Goßmann, who leads the medical team at the German Assisted Dying Association, mentioned that third parties may provide assistance such as medical or legal counsel, but the patient is required to perform the act of consuming the life-ending medication. Euthanasia, where another individual actively aids someone in dying at their request, continues to be punishable under German law.
What to understand about assisted death services globally
Dignitas reported that it currently has approximately 10,000 members and provides assisted death or accompanied suicide services to individuals from across the globe. Assisted death is either fully or conditionally accessible in Australia, New Zealand, and various European nations, including Austria, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands, as per the advocacy group Dignity in Dying. Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Ecuador also provide services for individuals enduring unbearable suffering, according to the organization. In the United States, assisted death is permitted for terminally ill individuals in 10 states.
