The right to die: A European perspective?

The ‘Right to Die’, or the right to decide about a dignified end of one’s own life, has seen many milestones in the past decade. Legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide is on the rise in EU Member States and landmark court cases all over the EU have sparked debate among citizens and politicians alike. In recent years, developments have accelerated in various Member States, as well as a strong conservative backlash, while in others, the extensive debates have not resulted in a change in the legal framework. However, the debate on the “Right to Die” is still limited to the national level. At the same time, there is an increase in European patients making use of their freedom of movement to seek end-to-life treatment in other European countries and the right to decide about the end of one’s own life has been acknowledged as part of European Human Rights Law in cases concerning assisted suicide brought before the European Court of Human Rights. Against this backdrop, it is opportune to compare perspectives on the ‘Right to Die’ within Europe.

Together with doctors, civil society actors and legal experts, this webinar aims to take stock of the legal and societal developments in the EU of recent years and to initiate an EU wide debate on the ‘Right to Die’.