Assisted Suicide Does Not Have a Monopoly on Dignity

Assisted suicide may seem entirely justified in some circumstances. But that does not give its advocates exclusive ownership of the idea of dignity, writes Anne-Sylvie Sprenger in a commentary for Le Temps.

The legislative battle over assisted dying continues. After France adopted its law in mid-July, the issue is returning to the ballot box across the border. On Sept. 27, voters in Zurich will decide whether to broaden the obligation to accept the practice within the canton.

The proposed extension would cover all nursing homes, hospitals, care facilities and rehabilitation centers, rather than only institutions that receive public funding. According to the Tages-Anzeiger, around 20 institutions could be affected, most of them reportedly run along Christian lines.

The debate therefore goes beyond whether assisted suicide should be available. It also concerns who must permit it, and whether dignity can be presented as the defining argument on only one side of the discussion.

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whose mainly Christian institutions