In 2009 EXIT ADMD Suisse romande launched an initiative to allow the same assistance in care facilities that Swiss citizens already have in their own homes. On June 17, 2012 the Canton of Vaud will vote to change Swiss law to specifically allow assistance with suicide in Socio-Medical Establishments (SME) as it is in private homes.
In 2006 the Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirmed that a person who is capable of forming his or her own opinion has a guaranteed right under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights to decide the time and manner of death.
The referendum will ask: “Do you accept the initiative ‘Assisted suicide in SOCIO-MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS (SMEs)’?”
The initiative requests that the Swiss Law on Public Health of 29 May 1985 be amended as follows: - The introduction of an Article 71(b) entitled “Assisted suicide in SMEs” with the following text: “SMEs in receipt of public subsidies must allow assistance for suicide to be provided in their establishments for any resident who makes a request to this effect to an association supporting the right to die with dignity or to the doctor responsible for his or her treatment, in accordance with Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code and Article 34(2) of the Constitution of the Canton of Vaud” - The amendment of Article 184(1)(a): introduction of a new Article 71(b)