The German Federal Constitutional Court declares void § 217 of the German Criminal Code
26 February 2020
The two membership associations “DIGNITAS – To live with dignity – To die with dignity” in Switzerland and “DIGNITAS – Menschenwürdig leben – Menschenwürdig sterben (Sektion Deutschland) e.V.” in Germany highly welcome the decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court of 26 February 2020, according to which § 217 StGB (German Criminal Code) is declared void. With this ruling, repeated and thus professional assistance in suicide is no longer prohibited in Germany. The decision also points the way forward for the German Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, who, in violation of the constitution, continues to refuse to implement the decision by the Federal Administrative Court of March 2, 2017 “Permission to acquire a lethal dose of sodium pentobarbital for suicide”. With this, the German government obstructs self-determination and genuine freedom of choice, prolongs suffering and encourages risky suicide attempts.
