WF REPORTS 2006

Rob Jonquière

CEO NVVE, NL

QUESTIONNAIRES

• 39 members addressed

• 25 + 1 responses (66%)

• 13 non responses (!)

FOUNDATION DATE

> 1970 1 (1935:VES E&W)

1970-1980 6

1980 – 1990 9

1990 – 2000 6

< 2000 2 ( 2005: Dignity NZ Trust)

Unknown 1

MEMBERSHIP (1)

A: < 500 5B: 500 1.500 4

C: 1.500 5.000 6

D: 5.000 30.000 6

E: 30.000 100.000 3

F: > 100.000 2

MEMBERSHIP (2)

A

B

C

D

E

F

MEMBERS/POPULATION (1)

Top 3

• Switzerland 1 / 114(120)

• Netherlands 1 / 155(155)

• Luxemburg 1 / 518(540)

MEMBERS/POPULATION (2)

Bottom 3

• Zimbabwe 1 / 18.657

• New Zealand 1 / 21.667

• Scotland 1 / 25.500(35.170)

PERSONNEL

• Employees

• 46%: no staff

• 54%: 0 - 23

• Volunteers

1 – 135

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

• All, except: Italy, ERGO and NT Australia

• Euthanasia statement 3 (6)

• Prohibition of treatment 22

• Proxy statement 16

• Non resuscitation 18

ACTIVITIES

• Meetings

• Publications

• Counselling

• Support

• Fund raising

• Assistance with suicide

• Media

• Fact sheets

• Lobbying

• Information

NEWSLETTER

• nearly all

• 1 – 4 times per year

• RtD-Europe newsletter

• WFRtDS newsletter

• www.worldrtd.net

PRO- AND OP-PONENTS

• Humanist groups

• Public– Polls (many >> 60%)

• Patient groups (L)

• Doctors

• Catholics

• Churches

• Pro life

• Hospices

• Politics (!)

LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

• South Africa: End of life Decisions act (1989)

• UK: Joffe’s Bill (2006)

• Scotland: Purvis (2005)

• Canada: Aid in dying Bill (2005)

• USA: Different states

LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

• South Australia: 5 bills since 1995

• Queensland: Amendment to Criminal Code

• New Zealand: DWD Bill (2003)

COURT CASES

• Belgium: Verdict for a nurse

• UK: Many

• Italy: Englaro; proxy problem

• Norway: Dr. Sandsdalen

• Sweden: Assisted suicide case (?)

• USA: Gonsalez vs. Oregon; Schiavo

• Tasmania: 2 ??• New Zealand: Lesley Martin (2004)

2002 - 2004

• Name change

• Lastwillpill / peacefull pill

• UK guide to Dignitas

• (Re) organisation

• Merging

• Final Exit on DVD

• Devices development

• Books and films production

PLANS

• To keep going / visibility

• Legalisation activities

• Paying attention to good practice

• Initiate scientific research

• New membership

• Development of client support

• Fundraising & lobbying

• Expansion towards University

REMARKS

• Smal(ler) societies would appreciate connection and support of Right to Die members

• We pursue a dual role, both lobbying and also helping individuals

• Requests from abroad stay a problem

REMARKS

• Increasing questioning for both need and relevance of the medical profession in Voluntary Euthanasia