The founder of the Dignitas assisted dying clinics has died aged 92.
The human rights lawyer had ‘chosen to end his life’ at one of his own clinics on November 29, just days before his birthday, the not-for-profit Swiss clinic announced.
In a four-page tribute, Dignitas said: ‘He stood unwaveringly for his convictions when it came to the protection of fundamental rights and the freedom of citizens.’
In 1998, Minelli set up the clinic to help those terminally and chronically ill to die, under the slogan ‘live with dignity, die with dignity.’
He campaigned for his assisted suicide organisation for decades which led to him appearing in court several times as a result.
Dignitas said: ‘Right up to the end of his life, he continued to search for further ways to help people to exercise their right to freedom of choice and self-determination in their ‘final matters’– and he often found them.’
As of 2024, the organisation had helped more than 4,000 people to end their lives.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
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