The Final Exit Network offers their services of dying guides (they rejected me because I do not have a physical medical condition) who will be with a person as they pass. Fortunately I have a friend who is willing to be there, but I hate the idea that I am potentially putting them in a risky legal situation.
Where is the line drawn for assisting vs accompanying? Is traveling with someone to Switzerland who intends to die a crime? Or being with them in a hotel room as they ingest the fatal poison? The law is ridiculous on this issue.
Our laws are not ideal and juries are not angels. If you don't stop the person or do not call ambulance, technically you can be punished. There is no 100% guarantee you will get those problems as well as there is no guarantee you won't. That's risky anyway.
As far as the travel, it would depend on what country you're from, and if in the US, which state. Then there are the laws in Switzerland. I don't have any answers, just pointing out the various jurisdictions, someone may know about travel from their country but not yours.
Accompanying vs assisting, that could be tricky with regard to travel. From the US perspective, there is no law that one has to prevent unless a mandated reporter, and if they're're not providing any materials, then it's not abetting an intended crime to be carried out in another country.
Of course your family (saw other thread) can go for a civil lawsuit. Or they can try to have you sectioned in advance -- if they don't, then it's pretty ridiculous to go after the traveling companion.
Depends where you are I guess but personally, I wouldnt want any potential repercussions for my friend or relative that was with me. Because I couldn't imagine it would just be a slap on the wrist for being naughty, I imagine it would involve jail time.
Why not let your friend decide for herself? She's capable of doing research, I assume. She's an adult. Sounds like you're going for assisted ctb with the help of an organization in a country where it's legal, what do they advise about the Switzerland part of it?
I'd say give your friend all the info she needs to make an informed decision, including the threats from your family, and let her decide for herself.
Why not let your friend decide for herself? She's capable of doing research, I assume. She's an adult. Sounds like you're going for assisted ctb with the help of an organization in a country where it's legal, what do they advise about the Switzerland part of it?
I'd say give your friend all the info she needs to make an informed decision, including the threats from your family, and let her decide for herself.
The switzerland is not part of it, I was just reading that some have been prosecuted for accompanying suicides, one case in the UK. I'm doing this in my apartment, and I wanted some company and she was willing.
One possible line-of-thought on the matter would be this :
Suppose a friend came to stay with you for a couple of weeks.
If you CTB-ed during that time, then who is to say that you didn't CTB in your bedroom, while they were unaware and watching television ?
Would there be any proof that your friend knew what was happening ?
Keep in mind that mobile phones and other devices (alexa ? televisions ?) are potential spying devices, so in general placing those in drawers in other rooms, perhaps powered off, during critical times, may be advisable.
However, you still have to consider :
> Your friend may very well be questioned
> Your friend could be given a lie detector test
> Your friend could be charged
etc....
So I think it would depend on how comfortable you and/or your friend would feel about such things....
Some people state that exercising the right to silence is important under such scenarios, until legal representation is organised. So another factor might be whether your friend has a "cool head" under such situations.
Clearly there are many things that would have to be considered *very* carefully.
Other factors may also come into play, such as :
> How old you are
> Whether you have a terminal illness
e.g. certain cases may be considered "not in the public interest" to pursue, depending upon those or other factors.
Note : The above answer is purely speculative, and is not based on any legal knowledge. No advice is being given. You should seek legal advice based on your location.
It may not be very easy to find "definitive" legal advice on such matters. It may be that this aspect of the law is rather "grey". However, I may be wrong about that since I'm in no position to say....
Overall, this is a tricky topic as I'm sure you already appreciate....
The Final Exit Network offers their services of dying guides (they rejected me because I do not have a physical medical condition) who will be with a person as they pass. Fortunately I have a friend who is willing to be there, but I hate the idea that I am potentially putting them in a risky legal situation.
Where is the line drawn for assisting vs accompanying? Is traveling with someone to Switzerland who intends to die a crime? Or being with them in a hotel room as they ingest the fatal poison? The law is ridiculous on this issue.
If in Switzerland is not a crime then it doesn't matter for the country you come from. The best I think just don't let your friend do anything to help you CTB and if something your friend could say looked for help but it was too late. Just make up any story you like, but remember don't do anything, just watch.
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