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WFRtDS Conference – Dublin 2024

by Jane Morris, DWDV President

Nick Carr and I have just returned from the World Federation Right to Die Societies (WFRtDS) conference, held in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

We would especially like to thank the incredible Janie Lazar and all those from the ‘End of Life Ireland’ conference team who went above and beyond to ensure that the conference was not only a tremendous success but also a thoroughly enjoyable few days for all attendees.

The WFRtDS General Assembly was held the day before the conference commenced. Rob Jonquiere stepped down from his role as Executive Director, a position he had held since 2010. Upon his retirement a book was published by the WFRtDS that chronicles his life story. It is an impressive story and one I highly recommend you read.

Other Resources

Rob will be greatly missed as he played an integral role in the development of the organisation over many years. Rob has been replaced by Peter Warren. Peter formerly assumed the role of Chair of the Scottish Assisted Dying advocacy group, FATE, ‘Friends At The End’ and now lives in Barcelona. Already he has brought to the table some exciting and innovative suggestions.

The WFRtDS committee:

Peter Warren – Executive Director (Spain)
Asuncion Alvarez – President (Mexico)
Jean-Jacques Bise – Treasurer (Switzerland)
Anne Bunning – Secretary (Australia!)
Sten Niklasson – General Member (Sweden)
Yoshihiro Kitamura – General Member (Japan)

Eighty ‘Right to Die Societies’ exist around the world and 60 of these organizations, representing 30 countries, are members of the WFRtDS. The latest organizations to join the Federation are –

  • North Carolina
  • Irish Doctors for Assisted Dying
  • Maine
  • Colombia

A pre-conference workshop was conducted involving Australian Palliative Care Physician Greg Mewett. and Canadian MAID provider Dr Stefanie Green. It was a most informative session and entertaining as both tried to convince us that their country’s Assisted Dying legislation was superior!

The conference was then held over the following 2 days and was hosted by ‘End of Life Ireland’ and ‘Irish Doctors supporting MAID’.

The topics that most frequently arose and initiated the most discussion were –

  • Dementia and the inability to access VAD
  • Advance Care Directives and dementia
  • Conscientious objection to VAD by some health facilities
  • The complementary nature of Palliative Care and VAD
  • The concerning issue of “fake news” and the consequences of such misinformation

Key Take Home Messages

There were so many fantastic and most informative presentations. However, for me, the key take home messages were:

  • Most people considering MAID for early dementia aren’t ‘depressed’, they’re understandably unhappy. Prescribing antidepressants is inappropriate and insulting.
    (Dr Colin Brewer, My Death My Decision, UK)
  • “Ontario man applying for MAiD as alternative to being homeless” – Choosing Death Over Poverty. Yes, the man might have applied for MAiD but what was not reported was that he was deemed not eligible!  (Dr Stefanie Green, Canada)

Stefanie referred to other reports of cases in which individuals had accessed MAID. They were reported as being lonely, suffering from mental illness, impoverished etc. but the fact that they suffered from an illness that deemed them eligible for MAiD was intentionally not mentioned.

  • This fake news is not only distressing to the Canadian MAiD program but is proving extremely problematic and frustrating for countries trying to introduce Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation.  (Dr Stefanie Green, Canada)
  • Fifty percent of patients who are admitted to Totora Hospice, New Zealand, are the result of ‘forced transfers’. Totora is the only fully integrated Assisted Dying hospice in NZ to allow VAD.  (Tina McCafferty – CEO Totara Hospice, New Zealand)

The greatly admired Siobhan was diagnosed with breast cancer and then muscular dystrophy in her 20s. No one was unaffected by her persuasive and heart-rending speech. 

  • Nobody knows better than us when we have endured enough suffering and when we are ready to go. Death is not the greatest loss of life. The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live, like our hope, dignity and strength.  (Siobhan Malone McBarron)
  • Voluntary Assisted Dying is a fundamental human right but it is also a medical process requiring legislation, careful regulation and transparent clinical governance. (Dr Mark Murphy Ireland)
  • Over-medicalisation at end-of-life is overly cruel, expensive and dehumanizing. (Dr Brendan O’Shea)

Dr Nick Carr participated in a discussion with Irish Physician Dr Brendan O’Shea titled ‘Safeguards: Designed to protect without impeding Patient Access’. Nick referred to ‘the gag clause’, the difficulties doctors face making an accurate time until death prognosis and the practice of institutional conscientious objection by some facilities, especially those that are government funded. 

My presentation, ‘Ageless Advocacy’ referred to the creation of our Young Ambassador group. This concept was enthusiastically received and discussions are presently underway to create a global Young Ambassador group. The other Australians who spoke were, Dr Greg Mewett, Tasmanian MLC Mike Gaffney, and Professor Kerstin Braun.

Presentations were provided by a host of individuals from many countries. I managed to take some very short videos of some of these people:

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