Death tourism in Switzerland is unlikely to be significantly affected by the suicide capsule. Any changes to the law in neighboring countries will have greater consequences.
Euthanasia is regulated very liberally in Switzerland. For decades, the legal situation in Switzerland has allowed foreign euthanasia organizations to accompany people in this country, some of whom do not have a residence in Switzerland. However, according to Exit Deutsche Schweiz, these are “individual fates”.
Exit spokeswoman Danièle Bersier therefore believes it is unlikely that the organization The Last Resort will provide more than isolated cases of euthanasia using the suicide capsule in Switzerland in the future. In addition, more and more EU countries are legalizing euthanasia. And the more countries legalize euthanasia, the less death tourism there will be.
In July it was announced that the organization The Last Resort plans to use the suicide capsule “Sarco” in Switzerland this year.
General legal situation is clarified in Switzerland
Compared to many other countries, the general legal situation in Switzerland is clear and there are established organizations with the necessary experience in implementation, says Jürg Streuli from the Dialog Ethics Foundation.
Countries such as Germany, France and Italy still have either stricter regulations or no regulations at all, which often still make assisted suicide for individuals with obstacles virtually impossible. The gradual liberalization of assisted suicide in neighboring countries may reduce death tourism to Switzerland.
Ethicist Markus Zimmermann assumes that suicide tourism in Switzerland will not be affected by the capsule. In addition to liberal legislation in many countries around the world, the suicide capsule and the information available so far have a deterrent rather than an attraction. (keystone-sda)
