30 November 2025 , 15:06
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The human rights lawyer had ’chosen to end his life’ at one of his own clinics on November 29, just days before his birthday, the not-for-profit Swiss clinic announced.
In a four-page tribute, Dignitas said: ’He stood unwaveringly for his convictions when it came to the protection of fundamental rights and the freedom of citizens.’
Minelli started his career as a journalist at a Swiss newspaper and later became Der Spiegel’s first correspondent in Switzerland.
Fascinated by how the European Convention on Human Rights could be enforced beyond national borders, he started studying law.
During his studies, he founded the Swiss Society for the European Convention on Human Rights.
In 1998, Minelli set up the clinic to help those terminally and chronically ill to die, under the slogan ’live with dignity, die with dignity.’
He campaigned for his assisted suicide organisation for decades, which led to him appearing in court several times as a result.
Dignitas said: ’Right up to the end of his life, he continued to search for further ways to help people to exercise their right to freedom of choice and self-determination in their ’final matters’– and he often found them.’
One success Minelli had was the 2011 ECHR ruling that recognised a person’s right to decide the manner and time of their own end of life.
Although Swiss law does not allow euthanasia, assisted dying has been legal for decades.
As of 2024, the organisation had helped more than 4,000 people to end their lives.
Minelli had expanded the Dignitas board several years ago and planned a succession in the event of his death.
The Dignitas team has said they will continue the work of the organisation in the ’spirit of its founder.’
Head of Investigations