Suicide Tourism : Understanding the Legal, Philosophical, and Socio-Political Dimensions

The phenomenon of 'suicide tourism', travelling to other jurisdictions to receive assistance in ending one's life, is becoming increasingly prevalent. This book offers a theoretical investigation of the issues that arise and provides a detailed appraisal of the situation worldwide.

This book explores the phenomenon of suicide tourism. As more countries legally permit assisted suicide and do not necessarily bar the participation of non-residents, suicide tourism is becoming a larger and more complex global issue. The book sets out the parameters for future debate by first contextualizing the practice and identifying its treatment under international and domestic law. It then analyses the ethical ramifications, weighing up where the state''s responsibilities lie, and addressing the controversial roles of accompanying persons. The book goes on to offer a sociological and cultural analysis of suicide tourism, including interviews with the various stakeholders: policy makers, assisted suicide associations, and medical and patients'' organizations, in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and the UK. The book concludes with a summary of the legal, ethical, political, and sociological dimensions of suicide tourism.