Euthanasia: Enforcing applicable law
Berne, 31.5.2006 - Wednesday saw the Federal Council acknowledge the "Euthanasia and Palliative Care – Does the Confederation Need to Act?" (Sterbehilfe und Palliativmedizin – Handlungsbedarf für den Bund?) report, which clarifies a number of issues raised by a motion put forward by the Council of State's Committee for Legal Affairs. The report concludes that possible abuses of assisted suicide must be prevented by the consistent application and enforcement of applicable law, especially by the criminal prosecution authorities. It also stated that, in principle, no further legislation is necessary in the area of euthansia. Further to a report by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), the Federal Council is recommending that the Swiss parliament should not pursue a revision of the relevant provisions of the Penal Code and should not enact any new legislation on the authorization and supervision of assisted suicide organizations.