In Switzerland, the number of those who have left through the "last exit" is growing
As noted by NashaGazeta.ch, from a legal standpoint, there are two independent organizations operating under that name in Switzerland. The activities of one cover the German-speaking part of the country and the canton of Ticino, while the second operates in Romandy. Despite territorial differences, their main task remains the service called "dignified departure from life". The patient takes the fatal dose of medication themselves – this is the main difference between this method and active euthanasia, which is prohibited by law.
The results for 2015 published last week indicate that the assisted suicide offered by Exit to its clients suffering from severe pain or incurable diseases is highly in demand in Switzerland. According to the organization covering the German-speaking part of the country and Ticino, the number of organized suicides increased by 30% last year. "Exit-German Switzerland" reviewed 1,100 applications, of which 782 final requests for assistance were granted. A total of 3,500 new inquiries were registered.
"Exit-Romandie" will publish its data on April 23 at its annual shareholder meeting, but the organization has confirmed the emerging trend. "Our situation is absolutely identical – the number of such cases has sharply increased," said its president Jérôme Sobel, noting that 22,300 residents of this part of the country have already become members of Exit-Romandie, that is, more than 1% of the region's population.
What is behind the increase in the number of organized suicides, which has been observed for several years? "Exit-German Switzerland" believes the main reasons lie in the aging of the population. The growth in the organization's membership also plays a significant role. In 2015, 95,621 people joined, meaning that including Romandy, about 120,000 people have "lined up for organized suicide".
Becoming a member of Exit is simple: in Romandy, you only need to fill out a form and pay an annual fee of 40 francs. A small clarification – this service is only available to residents of the country. In return, the organization undertakes to provide free assistance in organizing suicide for serious reasons, which include incurable diseases, severe pain, and some other cases. One only needs to overcome the psychological barrier that may arise when joining such an organization (after all, it is recommended to do this in advance to qualify for the free service).
Last year, the main reason for seeking assisted suicide was terminal cancer. This was followed by a whole host of old-age diseases and the suffering caused by chronic illnesses, typically in elderly patients. The average age of Exit clients who died in this way was 77.4 years. The gender split was roughly equal – 55% women and 45% men.