Controversial right-to-die campaigner Philip Nitschke, often dubbed 'Dr Death,' spoke in London to promote his 'suicide collar' device, though he opted not to bring the apparatus into the UK for fear of it being seized by customs.
Nitschke, the founder of the Swiss euthanasia organization Exit International, held an event in west London where he planned to demonstrate the Kairos 'suicide collar.' He stated that he left the device in the Netherlands to avoid confiscation, citing concerns about authorities labeling the information he disseminates as "giving dangerous information to vulnerable people." He described the current environment as difficult and noted that losing the device, which is not expensive to produce but is still in the testing phase, would be a significant setback.
The visit comes just days before British MPs are scheduled to vote at Second Reading on a revived assisted dying bill introduced by MP Lauren Edwards. Nitschke suggested that the significant public interest in his device and visit stems from the political stalemate surrounding the legalization of assisted dying in the UK.
"People are a little worried or frustrated by the slow pace of legislated change in the country. So they often look around and ask what else is available," Nitschke told the Daily Mail.
The Kairos collar is designed to induce unconsciousness and then death by applying pressure to the carotid arteries through two balloons. Nitschke previously stated his intention to conduct the first assisted suicide using this collar on a woman in Switzerland, who would serve as his initial 'test subject.'
Also speaking at the event was Carlos Cabrera, a representative from the Swiss euthanasia clinic Athanasios. Cabrera explained that Switzerland's assisted suicide laws are open to non-Swiss nationals, stating, "When you touch the ground in Switzerland you have indirectly or directly the right to die." He indicated that between 40 and 60 individuals from the UK have utilized his organization to end their lives.
Cabrera also addressed concerns about potential legal consequences for relatives of those undergoing assisted suicide, assuring that "All information on what happens in Switzerland, stays in Switzerland. We cannot give information to UK authorities."
Following discussions about options in Switzerland, Nitschke reportedly conducted a "do-it-yourself" guide to assisted suicide for attendees who had to sign waivers acknowledging they were not influenced by him.
Some MPs and campaigners had urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to ban Nitschke from entering Britain. Despite these calls, he proceeded with his London engagement.
Under Swiss law, assisted death is permissible with few restrictions, and a terminal condition is not a prerequisite. Cabrera stated that individuals with the mental capacity to make the decision can undergo the process.
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