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To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives?

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I'm a reporter specialised in Swiss foreign affairs, Japanese-Swiss relations and assisted suicide. I'm also an editor in the Japanese department. I worked for a Japanese newspaper for 10 years, covering a wide range of topics including crime, politics, and sports. Since 2017, I have been writing for SWI swissinfo.ch, focusing on social issues, particularly assisted suicide.

In Switzerland, anyone who assists a person to commit suicide is not punishable unless they do so for vested reasons. The relevant article in the Criminal Code paved the way for assisted suicide in the 1940s.

Today, more than 1,000 terminally ill patients or people suffering from other severe conditions receive such assistance to end their lives every year.

To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health struggles involving thoughts of suicide, help is available within Switzerland by calling the number 143. International resources can be found hereExternal link. 

From the article Why assisted suicide is ‘normal’ in Switzerland




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Moretto
Moretto
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

I fully agree with assisted suicide as everyone should be able to decide on their own life or death if their state of health is such as to justify such a procedure. However, regardless of whether one is a 'death tourist' or a CH resident, I believe that all direct and indirect costs should be fully paid by the person before the event.

Sono pienamente d'accordo con il suicidio assistito in quanto ognuno deve poter decidere sulla propria vita o sulla propria morte se lo stato di salute è tale da giustificare tale procedura. Tuttavia, indipendentemente che si tratti di "un turista della morte" o di una perdona residente in CH, ritengo che tutti i costi diretti e indiretti debbano essere completamente pagati dal soggetto prima dell'evento.

Gabriela M
Gabriela M
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

As long as the person is of sound mind and there is an incapacitating and/or life-threatening illness, no one should interfere in people's decisions.

Siempre que la persona este en sus cabales y que haya una enfermedad incapacitante y/o mortal, nadie debe entrometerse en las decisiones de las personas.

Phytom
Phytom

The State has no right to keep people from taking the easy way out. And anyone who feels like the government should decide that for them has lost all self-determination.

JürgenD
JürgenD
@Phytom

This point is what distinguishes the Swiss approach to assisted dying compared to most assisted dying regimes that have been developed around the world. The Swiss approach has recently been legitimated by the landmark German Constitutional Court decision of 2020. The Court struck down any absolute prohibition on assisting someone to die by declaring that a quality of life should never be established legislatively to allow or prohibit assisted dying. It is nota coincidence that it was a German court that understood the immense gravity of such social policy best leftup to the individuals directly involved in the procedure. One need only recall the dangerous state-sanctioned euthanasia laws of the 1930s.

Vera Nicoletti Siqueira
Vera Nicoletti Siqueira
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

I'm all in favour of people deciding to interrupt their lives.

Sou totalmente a favor das pessoas decidirem interrmper a vida .

Pericardi
Pericardi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

It is a personal decision, in the face of pain and an inadequate quality of life for the person experiencing it.

Es una decisión personal , ante un dolor y o calidad de vida inadecuada para quien la vive

GJ
GJ
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Pros. __ I have seen TV programmes where Japanese people are euthanised in Switzerland and other countries, and documentaries of patients fighting diseases such as ALS and Parkinson's. __ It is terrible to be stuck in a world of consciousness only, unable to move your body due to such progressive diseases. __ It is also a very tough battle against intense pain. The same is true for cancer, for example. __ And without the option of domestic euthanasia, you have to make the long journey with the patient, say goodbye in a foreign country and return with the remains of your loved one after the long journey you made with him or her just a few days ago. __ I think it is also the most painful thing for the family, relatives, friends and those accompanying the patient. __Please legalise the option of euthanasia in Japan under strict rules.

賛成です。__日本人がスイスなどで安楽死されるようなテレビ番組や、ALSやパーキンソンなどの病気と戦う患者さんたちのドキュメント番組などを観ました。__進行性のそうした病気によって身体が動かせなくなり、意識だけの世界に閉じ込められてしまうことはとても恐ろしいことです。__またそれのみならず激痛との戦いは非常に過酷です。__がんなどでも同様です。__そして国内で安楽死という選択肢がなければ患者さんと長旅をし、異国でお別れをし、ほんの数日前にその大切な方とともに旅した長旅をその方のご遺骨と帰ってこなければならないのです。__ご家族、親族、友人、そうした同伴者にとってそれもまたこの上ない辛さだと思います。__どうか日本でも厳格なルールの下、安楽死という選択肢を合法化してほしいと願います。

abcz
abcz
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

I believe that there are some sufferings that only the person can understand. I am in favour of the euthanasia system.

本人にしか分からない苦しみもあると思います。安楽死制度には賛成です。

Annaerre
Annaerre
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Pro __is willing to use this solution if I should no longer be autonomous.

Pro __è disposta ad utilizzare questa soluzione se dovessi non essere più autonoma.

Saito
Saito
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Kuranke said, "I want people to know that it can be a way of life for the patient, instead of just focusing on letting them die". I agree. I also understand what you mean when you say that 'euthanasia is the greatest source of sustenance.' I am a member of Dignitas. My cancer has metastasised to the bones and I am under pain control, but there are days when I suffer. I cannot see any hope for end-of-life care in Japan. Next month, I will be presenting the topic of euthanasia at an online dialogue meeting. I hope to convey the correct situation (including the advantages and disadvantages) in Switzerland and other countries where euthanasia is practised in Japan, and then deepen the dialogue.

くらんけさんは「死なせることばかりにフォーカスしないで、患者にとって生きる糧にもなりえるんだということを知って欲しい」と話しているのですね。同感です。「安楽死が最大の糧となっている」という言葉も、よく分かります。私は、ディグニタスの会員の一人です。がんが骨転移しており疼痛コントロールしていますが、苦しい日もあります。日本では終末期医療に希望が見出せません。来月、オンライン対話会で、安楽死について話題提供させて頂く予定です。日本でもスイスなど安楽死が行われている国々のの正しい状況（メリット・デメリットを含め）が伝わり、そのうえで、対話が深まればと思います。

Cesare
Cesare
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Before talking about assisted suicide, one should first understand the subject of this type of 'treatment'.____Suicide (from the Latin sui caedere, 'to kill oneself') is defined as the act by which a person deliberately procures death. ____Death (also called departure or death) is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. With death, the existence of a living being, or more broadly of a functionally organised system, comes to an end.____Now, once terms such as 'suicide' and 'death' have been framed, one could discuss what remains of a 'living organism' such as a man or woman under certain conditions. It is clear that a living being that is healthy, or at least capable of performing all or most of its functions, could be defined as suicidal if it decided to end its existence. But in my opinion, certain conditions of certain human beings go far beyond terms such as living being and vital functions. Certainly a living human being cannot be recognised as such in the following conditions: coma, vegetative state or brain death. In these cases it is really out of place to speak of suicide, since the individual is no longer able to move or make decisions, not even conscious. And if these cases appear to us as worthy within a casuistry using this treatment, there are just as many that border on this same condition in one way or another. So we might ask the question: 'what is better for the dignity of a man and a woman to end his or her so-called 'surrogate life', or to keep him or her alive with certain characteristics that no longer reflect human ones? Ultimately, who is 'the murderer'? He who forces a human being to stay alive who no longer has dignity and human semblance, or he who allows him to end his days that could add nothing to his life, except in a way that is totally negative for him and his loved ones

Prima di parla di suidicio assistito, bisognerebbe innanzi tutto capire del soggetto che si avvicina a questo tipo di "trattamento".____Si definisce suicidio (dal latino sui caedere, "uccidere sé stessi") l'atto con il quale una persona si procura deliberatamente la morte. ____La morte (chiamata anche dipartita o decesso) è la cessazione irreversibile di tutte le funzioni biologiche che sostengono un organismo vivente. Con la morte termina l'esistenza di un vivente, o più ampiamente di un sistema funzionalmente organizzato.____Ecco, una volta inquadrati termini come "suicidio" e "morte" si potrebbe discutere di quello che resta di un "organismo vivente" come un uomo o una donna in determinate condizioni. E' chiaro che un essere vivente in salute o comunque in grado di svolgere tutte o quasi tutte le funzioni che competono a questo essere vivente, se decidesse di porre fine alla sua esistenza, potrebbe essere definito come suicida. Però secondo me, certe condizioni di taluni esseri umani, vanno ben al di la di termini come essere vivente e funzioni vitali. Di certo un essere vivente umano non può essere riconosciutocome tale nelle seguenti condizioni: coma, stato vegetativo o morte cerebrale. In questi casi è veramente fuori luogo parlare di suicidio, dato che l'individuo non è più in grado di muoverso o di prendere decisioni, neppure è cosciente. E se questi casi ci appaiono come meritevoli all'interno di una casistica che utilizzi questo trattamento, ce ne sono di altrettanti che rasentano chi per un verso chi per l'altro, questa stessa condizione. Quindi ci potremmo porre la domanda su: "cosa è meglio per la dignità di un uomo e di una donna porre fine alla sua chiamiamola "surrogato di vita", oppure tenerlo in vita con certe caratteristiche che non rispecchiano più quelle umane? In definitiva chi è "l'assassino"? Chi obbliga a rimanere in vita un essere umano che non ha più dignità e parvenze umane, oppure chi gli consente di terminare i suoi giorni che non potrebbero aggiungere nulla al suo vissuto, se non in maniera del tutto negativa per lui e per i suoi cari

Kmspillman@gmail.com
Kmspillman@gmail.com

Terminal illness is an absolute valid reason for end of life. NO ONE has the right to interfere.

hirotaka
hirotaka
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

I think there should be death with dignity.
Only the person themselves can understand the suffering, and some people may have an ego but don't want to cause trouble for others.
If you want to spend the rest of your life in pain and suffering, you should be able to choose to make it easier for them.
Even if you can take care of the people around you now, you still have to worry about how you will be able to spend your life after they are gone.

尊厳死はあったほうがよいかと思う。
苦しみは本人しか分からない、エゴなとこはあるけど回りに迷惑かけたくないって人もいるかもしれない。
一生を痛み、苦しみで過ごすくらいなら楽させる選択もあっていいのでは。
回りの介護が今は出来ても、その人がいなくなった後を、どうやって過ごせるのか不安は残る

ケイタロウ
ケイタロウ
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Many people refer to the feelings of those left behind, but I don't think it is like that. People who can care about such things are those who still have hope. There are times when people want to lose consciousness as soon as possible, even if they are thinking about their parents, family and other people around them. At such times, I think people have the right to choose suicide, and I think there should be legal support for this. The law should be developed in Japan.

残された人の気持ちに言及する人が多いが、そういうものではないと思う。そんなことを気にかけることができる人は希望が残っている人。親や家族など周りの人のことを考えても一刻も早く意識をなくしたい、そういう時が人にはある。そんなとき、自死を選ぶ権利が人間にはあると思うし、法的にもサポートすべきだと思う。日本国でも法律を整備すべきだ。

MK8
MK8
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Death with dignity should certainly be recognised. Souls escaping unbearable pain will live forever.

尊厳死は確実に認められるべき。耐え難い苦痛から逃れる魂は永遠に生き続ける。

naoto
naoto
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

I believe that there is pain and fear that only the patient can understand! I am in favour of euthanasia rather than suffering and enduring pain and being subjected to unnecessary life-prolonging measures!

本人にしか理解できない痛み、恐怖があるとおもいます！苦しんで痛みに耐えて無駄な延命措置をされるよりは安楽死は賛成です！

Zui
Zui

I think we could choose the way to die, no matter what people say. 'Euthanasia' is the best way to suicide and not cause trouble to others.

Celesteaz
Celesteaz
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

I'm completely in favour.I have small cell lung cancer and I've looked for ways to put an end to this suffering but unfortunately I haven't been able to.Not even through Exit International who charge money for access to some information.I've been scammed.I've paid and received nothing.Getting pentobarbital is practically impossible when it should be something you can access.

Completamente a favor.Tenho um cancro de pulmão de pequenas células e já procurei em vários sitios formas de terminar com este sofrimento mas infelizmente não consegui.Nem através da Exit International que cobram valores para acesso a alguma informação.Já fui burlada.Paguei e nada recebi.Obter pentobarbital é praticamente impossivel quando devia ser algo a que se podesse aceder

Jaime Herrera Salasar
Jaime Herrera Salasar
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

I agree with euthanasia, I think it is more cruel to me to suffer while watching oneself being killed.
Well, this is my personal opinion

Estoy de acuerdo con la eutanasia, inesesariamente sufrir viendo uno mismo como se va acabando para mi es más cruel.
Bueno es mi opinión personal

AKEMI
AKEMI
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Of course I am in favour of 'euthanasia'.
I have an incurable disease called spinocerebellar degeneration, which cannot be cured by current medicine. I am not able to do the things I used to be able to do day by day.
I would like to know where and how to go about euthanasia.
I have already made up my mind.

もちろん『安楽死』賛成です。
脊髄小脳変性という難病で今の医学では治りません。日に日にやれた事ができなくなっています。
安楽死について、どこにどうしたらいいのか教えて欲しいです。
もう、気持ちはできています。

のり
のり
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

I have a cervical hernia and have been in pain for 10 years with painkillers💊 and block injections.

I die every day. I am struggling to find a way out.
I am in favour of euthanasia.

I am already struggling with what to do.
I am at the breaking point.

頚椎ヘルニアで、10年鎮痛剤💊ブロック注射などしながら痛みに耐えられる毎日です。

毎日死ね。無いか格闘しています。
安楽死に賛成です。

もうどうしていいか悩んだりする。
のが限界点に有ります。

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR