Geneva will become the new home for the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, which voted in favour of leaving New York in late October. According to GenevaLunch.com, the move, which is likely to take place in 2015, is associated to possible changes in the NGOs tax status in the US. The organisation has been in the spotlight after Brittany Maynard, a young American woman diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and advocate of “death with dignity”, ended her life early November with assisted medication.

The World Federation, founded in 1980, consists of 52 right to die organizations from 24 countries. The Federation states somewhat euphemistically that “it provides an international link for organizations working to secure or protect the rights of individuals to self-determination at the end of their lives.” Its Swiss members are:Dignitas;  EXIT A.D.M.D. Suisse romande; EXIT-Deutsche Schweiz; and Lifecircle.

Alexandra Torrealba