No one should have to choose between an end of life with unbearable pain and disability - or an end of life being sedated, bedridden, dependent and stripped of everything that makes us human. Yet every day, in South Africa, people suffering from terminal illnesses face these terrible choices. There should be a third option - to choose a good death.
DignitySA is an agent for change
WE WANT South African laws to grant terminally ill adults the option of a dignified assisted death.
We do this by:
Raising awareness with the public and medical professionals of the terrible plight of terminally ill South Africans under current laws governing euthanasia.
Growing public and corporate support to create an unstoppable force for change.
Raising money from public and private enterprises to fund legal challenges to the Constitutional Court to protect our right of choice to die with dignity in the laws of our land.
They deserve humane choices - We all do.
OUR GOALS FOR 2024
DignitySA is approaching the High Court in Pretoria as an applicant seeking to have assisted dying decriminalised and legalised in South Africa.
Assisted dying is doctor-assisted suicide and doctor-administered euthanasia for patients suffering from a condition with no prospect of further beneficial treatment or palliative care, and whose suffering is intractable and unbearable.
DignitySA are preparing legal papers to ask the courts:
To declare the existing general common-law prohibition of assisted dying, which regards it as murder, unconstitutional and invalid (thus decriminalising assisted dying);
To require Parliament to write a law legalising and regulating assisted dying in a manner appropriate for South Africa.
DignitySA estimates that we would need about R4-5 million to cover all expenses relating to these proceedings until the matter is finally determined in the Constitutional Court. We are fortunate to have already received generous donations in the amount of R2.15 million.
Since 2011, DignitySA has advocated for the fundamental Freedom of choice in end-of-life options for all.
LATEST NEWS
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DignitySA is approaching the High Court in Pretoria in early 2024 as an applicant seeking to have assisted dying decriminalised and legalised in South Africa.
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Assisted dying is doctor-assisted suicide and doctor-administered euthanasia for patients suffering from a condition with no prospect of further beneficial treatment or palliative care, and whose suffering is intractable and unbearable.
DignitySA will seek the following relief:
To declare the exiting general common-law prohibition of assisted dying, which regards it as murder, unconstitutional and invalid (thus decriminalising assisted dying); and to require Parliament to write a law legalising and regulating assisted dying in a manner appropriate for South Africa
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In 2015 South African Medical Association (SAMA) Chairman, Dr Mzukisi Grootboom, (erroneously) said: βYou must remember, ethics takes precedence over the laws of the country. There are lots of countries that sent people to the gas chambers.β
Now listen to what SAMA Chairperson, Dr Angelique Coetzee, had to say on 1 May 2019.
An encouraging watch. Interview starts 2 minutes in.
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Carol de Swardt flies to Switzerland for medically assisted death.
Your stories
Do you have a story to share in support of our cause of your personal experience sufferering from a dread disease or as carer or family member.
Send us your stories to Info@DignitySouthAfrica.org
