Today, Monday 2nd November, is World Right To Die Day. Not many people know that.
It is, apparently, the 18th such day because the first was in 2008. It is the creation of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies. The date was chosen deliberately because it “coincides with traditional cultural reflections on mortality” such as All Souls’ Day and Dia de los Muertos.
I expect 2026 will be regarded as a rather mixed year for the Federation. Successes in France and New York State have been balanced by failures, against expectations, in England, Wales and Scotland. The Federation itself is holding its biennial conference later this month in Tokyo. I went two years ago when it was in Dublin and it was an impressive occasion – well-organised, well-attended and with a fascinating agenda. I will not be attending this year. The journey from the tundra of North Yorkshire to Tokyo would involve a fourteen hour flight in an economy class seat – an ordeal too much for an 83-year-old Yorkshireman with bad knees.
It is interesting to see who is in the Federation and who is not. The UK, for example, is represented by My Death My Decision and by Friends at the End but not by Dignity in Dying. Exit International is not a member, having been admitted in 2018 but then withdrawing voluntarily a few years later. From the USA there are no fewer than thirteen members, including Final Exit Network, A Better Exit and the Hemlock Society of San Diego. Seven of the Swiss VAD providers are also members.
It is a highly effective and internationally-connected organisation which has built a respected presence in the worldwide debate upon Assisted Dying. It can feel proud of the progress it has made over the past fifty years – but, in the view of this website, there is still a lot to do.
