The applicant, Mr. Ulrich Koch, is a national of Germany. His spouse was almost completely paralysed, was in need of artificial ventilation and constant care from nursing staff. She has committed suicide on 12 February 2005 in Switzerland. Mr. Koch complaint is against the refusal of German authorities to grant Mr Koch’s spouse authorisation to acquire a lethal dose of medication enabling her to commit suicide. He relies on the right to respect for private and family life, and the right to an effective remedy.
