[Euthanasia in Germany #2] About the German Euthanasia Society (DGHS) – a citizens’ group that has been practicing “death with dignity” since the 1980s
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About the German Euthanasia Society (DGHS): A citizens' organization that has been practicing "death with dignity" since the 1980s
On November 19, 2025, news about euthanasia came from Germany.
overview
Alice and Ellen Kessler, the "Kessler Sisters" who were popular in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, have passed away at the age of 89. Their death was the result of assisted suicide (euthanasia).
The two had long wished to " die together on the same day ," and about a year ago they contacted the support group Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanes Sterben ( DGHS ) and became members.
The DGHS has now revealed that the sisters have been granted assisted suicide (euthanasia), ending their lives together as per their wishes.
The two ended their lives together.
→As it is written like this, it means that what is known as "couple euthanasia" (Duo Euthanasia: accompanied/double euthanasia ) was carried out.
For information on assisted euthanasia, please see the Dutch article .
The Kessler sisters are not well known in Japan, but they were apparently a huge star in Europe and the United States from the 1950s onwards.
Since this was a case of euthanasia involving a celebrity, the news became a hot topic and may have served as a concrete example showing that in some countries euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal and are carried out only at the individual's strong will.
Incidentally, the existence of the German Euthanasia Society is not well known in Japan for certain reasons (explained later), but just like in Switzerland, it has existed for a long time, at roughly the same time and in the same form . Please also refer to the article on Germany .
Here we will briefly introduce the DGHS, which is mentioned in the article and leads the German euthanasia world.
What is the DGHS? - Basic Information and Establishment (About the German Euthanasia Society DGHS)
-DGHS is an organization founded in Germany on November 7, 1980, and is a civil rights/patient protection civic organization that supports and guarantees "the right of people to decide for themselves when their life ends (the right to self-determination)" and "a humane end."
-The organization is an "eingetragener Verein" (registered association/organization) and is run as a "non-profit organization" with public benefit, not for profit.
The main purpose of the group is
"People who are seriously ill or terminally ill
To be able to choose how to live and die based on one's own will and values."
"A humane and dignified death"
To guarantee this through social and legal systems.
*Click here for the website
Purpose/philosophy
Only those who have the capacity to make their own decisions (mental capacity) are guaranteed the right to decide for themselves when, how, and with whom, if necessary, to end their lives .
To provide the opportunity to choose to end life without compromising one's dignity or integrity , from pain, suffering, or future intolerable conditions (such as illness, pain, multiple organ failure, severe disability, or end of life).
We support and disseminate "patient wishes," which clearly state one's wishes while still alive (for example, "not to prolong life" or "where and how one wishes to die"), and "advance directives (living wills)," which include "intentions to refuse medical care, nursing care, and life prolongation."
The spread and improvement of medical care, nursing care, and palliative care . The expansion of pain relief and dignified end-of-life care is also an important pillar.
DGHS is not dependent on politics, religion or political parties.
"Humanitarianism"
"Individual rights and self-determination"
It is based on this principle and clearly demonstrates its neutrality.
Recent trends and current situation
In 2015, the company was ordered to suspend operations, but in February 2020, the German Supreme Court ruled that the law banning assisted suicide was invalid , making assisted suicide legal. In response, DGHS officially began providing its services.
*The first euthanasia (assisted suicide) was performed on a terminally ill cancer patient in 1984 , and the service has been operating on a small scale for a long time.
Switzerland interpreted a law that existed in 1943 in its own way and Exit began its service in 1982 ( see Switzerland article ).
However, in Germany, the DGHS, a civil society group, in cooperation with doctors, lawyers, and local governments , started the program based on humanitarian arguments and without any law (or, to put it bluntly, "on its own accord" or "with its own interpretation").
As of September 2025, DGHS will have approximately 50,000 members.
A recent report states that in 2024, the DGHS mediated 623 doctor-assisted suicides (see German article for data).
In its revised document of fundamental principles in November 2024, the DGHS clearly states that any adult capable of self-determination will be granted the "right to choose death of one's own will," regardless of the reason for doing so .
remarks
-The article states that "police were dispatched," but this is a set process of the Euthanasia Society and there is no criminal activity involved .
Switzerland also has not "legalized" euthanasia as a nation, so after the euthanasia is performed, the person will be questioned by the police for several tens of minutes to several hours.
In addition, euthanasia is carried out after prior coordination with the government, lawyers, judiciary, police, doctors, etc. (As an aside, this is why it is ``enormously expensive''...in countries that have made it a legal system, such as the Netherlands, it is almost free).
The Swiss government has also warned that euthanasia is not just a legal requirement, but a way to end it.
Dignitas homepage
・Until the German Supreme Court handed down the following ruling in 2020, there was no legal basis for the practice. The German Euthanasia Society (DGHS) had been developing its services since the 1980s solely on the basis of "humanitarian principles," in cooperation with local governments, doctors in charge, the judiciary, courts, lawyers, and others. (DGHS took the lead, getting others involved, and acting "on its own" despite the established supervision, with its results being tacitly understood .)
Therefore, this ruling, which was the first to have a legal basis based on court precedent , was groundbreaking and historic.
Reported by The Guardian on February 26, 2020
・Words and phrases that are often used by people who oppose euthanasia in Japan (mostly "left-wing" circles) to incite the public...
example
"Eugenics, Nazism, Operation T4, Hitler, and Racism"
"Once euthanasia is permitted, a slippery slope will begin and Japan will become like the Nazis."
The fact that "euthanasia is legal in Germany (through court precedent)" is an inconvenient fact for them.
The above words and phrases are invalidated ... and therefore the situation regarding euthanasia in Germany is never mentioned at all . The old media also never reports on euthanasia in Germany .
example
>The disabled and economically disadvantaged are forced to choose euthanasia
Apparently it's easier to apply for euthanasia in Canada than for welfare.
Means to incite such fears (misinformation or conspiracy theories)…
Because its power is halved .
![[Euthanasia in Germany #1] Current Situation and Structure](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e6e15_d375fb5f4b6f4aaa9a32593127a42f5d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/1e6e15_d375fb5f4b6f4aaa9a32593127a42f5d~mv2.jpg)