Switzerland’s suicide center Dignitas reported that it has helped 868 people kill themselves since it opened 10 years ago. In the last two years, 335 people killed themselves — 85 percent of them foreigners.
Swiss law allows agencies to assist with suicides for “honorable reasons,” but they cannot profit from the deaths. However, Dignitas admits to charging clients nearly $10,000, in addition to a membership fee.
“It is imperative that countries support suicide prevention strategies for their most vulnerable citizens,” Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition-Canada, wrote on his blog. “We must recognize that a caring society protects its vulnerable citizens at their greatest time of need.”
