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25: The World Federation of Right to Die Societies
World Federation of Right To Die Societies, founded in l980, consists
of 37 organisations from 23 countries, each working to secure or
protect the individual's right to die with dignity.
Historical background:
Upon
formation of the Japan Euthanasia Society (now the Japan Society for
Dying with Dignity) in 1976, Dr Tenrei Ota convened an international
meeting of existing right-to-die societies. The attending
representatives from Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and United
Kingdom shared international perspectives on right-to-die issues. A
second conference was held in San Francisco in 1978, and, at the
third conference held at Oxford in 1980, the World Federation of Right to Die Societies was officially
founded.
The
Role of the Federation is to:
- Disseminate current information and educational materials about voluntary euthanasia, physician-assisted dying, other right-to-die issues, and related matters of interest;
- Promote co-operation and liaison among member societies;
- Facilitate international conferences on dying and death;
- Provide assistance, where requested, to groups and individuals interested in establishing similar societies in countries where such societies do not currently exist; and
- Respond to requests by interested groups, scholars, and individuals for information about right-to-die issues.
The
World Federation of Right To Die Societies meets every two years to
exchange news and views, to elect Directors and Officers of the
Federation, and to conduct other business. Members share a
commonality of purpose even though they represent countries with
diverse legislative status. The diversity of socio-political
circumstances is therefore not conducive to the federation having a
policy-making role. Each member country must pursue policy on
end-of-life decision making on an independent basis.
Declarations by Medical Professionals:
At
the international conferences held in Melbourne (1996), Zurich
(1998), Boston (2000) and Brussels (2002) formal declarations were
made by attending medical professionals in support of the goals of
the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.
Member Societies:
Australia: Voluntary Euthanasia Societies of New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, West Australia
Belgium: Assoc. pour le Droit de Mourir dans la Dignite
Canada: Dying with Dignity, Surrey/White Rock Choice in Dying Society
Colombia: Fundacion Pro Derecho a Morir Dignamente
Finland: EXITUS
France: Association pour le Droit de Mourir dans la Dignite (ADMD)
Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Humanes Sterben eV (DGHS)
India: The Society for the Right to Die with Dignity
Israel: LILAC: The Israel Society for the Right to Live and Die with Dignity
Italy: EXIT-Italia
Japan: Japan Society for Dying with Dignity
Luxembourg: Association pour le Droit de Mourir dans la Dignite
Netherlands: Nederlandse Vereniging voor Vrijwillige Euthanasie (NVVE)
New Zealand: Voluntary Euthanasia Society (Auckland) Inc, Voluntary Euthanasia Society (Wellington)
Norway: Landsforeningen Mitt Livestement
Spain: Derecho a Morir Dignamente (D.M.D.)
Sweden: Ratten Till Var Dod (R.T.V.D.)
Switzerland: EXIT Vereinigung für humanes Sterben, EXIT Association pour le Droit de Mourir dans la Dignite (Suisse Romande)
United Kingdom: Friends at the End (FATE),Voluntary Euthanasia Society England & Wales
United States: Compassion in Dying Federation, Euthanasia Research & Guidance Org (ERGO!), Hemlock
Society of Florida, Hemlock Society USA
Zimbabwe: Final Exit
For further information on the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, its by-laws and its individual member societies contact the web site at www.worldrtd.net
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