[Right_to_die] Swiss government planning new rules for assisted suicide

[World right-to-die news list (nonprofit)]

Swissinfo reported 29 Oct 09:

Cabinet in Switzereland seeks to crack down on suicide tourism

Groups offering assisted suicide, notably for people who travel to 
Switzerland to die, are facing tighter legal regulations.

The cabinet on Wednesday presented two draft bills defining conditions 
for organised euthanasia, including medical confirmations of a 
terminally ill patient's death wish, the use of approved medicines and 
clear documentation of every case.

Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the purpose of the planned 
regulation was to slow down the process of assisted suicide and prevent 
people from travelling to Switzerland only for this specific purpose.

In 2007 there were about 400 cases of assisted death in Switzerland, 
including 132 people from Britain and Germany.

Assisted suicide and passive euthanasia are currently legal in 
Switzerland – a policy which makes it one of the most liberal European 
countries.

Widmer-Schlumpf said it was not up to the state to help people die.

"We believe suicide prevention and palliative care for patients are the 
priorities," Widmer-Schlumpf told a news conference.

She added that a regulation on assisted suicide remained a very delicate 
matter not only involving law but also ethics.

The government also published an alternative option that foresees an 
outright ban on organised assisted suicide.

Political parties and organisations have four months to give their 
opinion on the two proposals before cabinet prepares a final bill for 
discussion in parliament.

In an initial reaction, two leading right-to-die organisations have 
accused the government of trying to deprive citizens of their right to 
self-determination and responsibility.

Urs Geiser, swissinfo.ch