DIGNITAS on Assisted Dying: Freedom of Choice & the Right to Die with Dignity

In this week’s episode of “Topical”, we confront a subject that sits at the very intersection of ethics, law, medicine, and human emotion: assisted dying. This isn’t just a medical or legal debate; it’s a human one. We ask: Who gets to decide when life has run its course? What does dying with dignity actually mean in a world shaped by technological intervention, cultural traditions, and legal limitations?

With society increasingly grappling with ideas of personal freedom, dignity, and autonomy, this episode brings a powerful voice into the conversation: Silvan Luley from DIGNITAS  – To live with dignity, to die with dignity, the internationally respected Swiss non-profit known for championing autonomy, legal reform, suicide prevention, and the right to end one’s life on one’s own terms.

DIGNITAS, founded in 1998, has been a pioneer in advocating for freedom of choice at the end of life. From supporting individuals suffering from terminal illnesses to assisting those with unbearable psychological suffering, the organization has long maintained that the right to self-determination should extend to life’s final chapter. Silvan Luley, a senior figure within DIGNITAS, shares insights into how the organization supports individuals across the world, not just by facilitating assisted dying in Switzerland, but also by advocating for suicide prevention, legal reform, and empowering people to make informed choices throughout life.

Luley brings clarity to the difficult legal and moral questions around assisted dying and speaks to the very core of what it means to be human: the ability to choose for oneself, even when and how to say goodbye.

We explore the central principles that shape DIGNITAS’ work: dignity, autonomy, and compassion. Luley challenges listeners to consider whether prolonging suffering through unwanted medical intervention truly honors life, or whether offering a peaceful, lawful, and supported end could, in fact, be the more humane path. He discusses how different countries have approached this issue, from complete bans to partial legalization and what lessons India and other nations might draw from the Swiss model.

The conversation also dives into safeguards and ethical oversight, debunking the common misconception that legal assisted dying leads to abuse or coercion. Instead, Luley underscores how strict regulation, robust psychological evaluation, and a transparent medical-legal process ensure that this right is not only protected but responsibly practiced.

What makes this episode particularly compelling is the emotional undercurrent running beneath the policy talk. Through stories of real individuals who have chosen to end their suffering through DIGNITAS, Luley humanises the debate. These are not abstract arguments. These are real people facing excruciating pain, loss of independence, and the desire for control in their final moments.

This isn’t just another episode — it’s a call to reflect on our deepest values. While answers may not come easily, asking the right questions is where transformation begins.

Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.

Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran

Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)