Dániel András Karsai

Dániel András Karsai (28 March 1977 – 28 September 2024) was a Hungarian constitutional lawyer and euthanasia activist. Born in Budapest, he studied at Eötvös Loránd University's Faculty of Law. He worked at the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights. After returning to Hungary, he founded his law firm.

In 2022, Karsai was diagnosed with the fatal motor neuron disease ALS. He campaigned to legalize active euthanasia in Hungary, which was opposed by the ruling Fidesz party. Karsai discussed with several high-ranking politicians and also proposed a referendum, but to no avail. He filed a claim at the European Court of Human Rights, but the court ruled against him in June 2024, and his appeal was denied in September. Later that month, he died from his illness. Although Karsai lost his legal cases, he received significant public support and considered the outcome of his campaign a success.

Karsai co-wrote the play Egy tökéletes nap , which was based on his story. A book of his writing and public remarks was published in 2024. Before his illness, he practiced jujutsu and often went hiking. After his death, the established a memorial prize in his honor.

Early life and career Karsai worked four years at the European Court of Human Rights, the same court that ruled against him in 2024. Dániel András Karsai was born on 28 March 1977 in Budapest. His father was , a historian specializing in the Roma and Jewish Holocaust in Hungary. His mother, Éva Kelemen, established and led the Center for Interpreter and Translator Training at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Between 1991 and 1995, he studied at Berzsenyi Dániel Gimnázium. He graduated from Eötvös Loránd University's Faculty of Law in 2001. He worked as a secretary for Constitutional Court Judge for one and a half years. He then worked at the Department of Public Law Codification at the Ministry of Justice, and four years at the European Court of Human Rights. He returned to Hungary in 2009 to practice law and founded his law firm in 2011, which won numerous notable cases. He regularly gave television interviews regarding human rights issues. Karsai was among Haszon 100 best Hungarian lawyers list in 2016.

Illness and euthanasia activism Karsai first noticed symptoms in June 2021.

Karsai lodged a case at the European Court of Human Rights, hoping to decriminalize active euthanasia in Hungary. The government filed a counter-petition, requesting Karsai's request be inadmissible. Although Karsai lost his legal cases, he received significant public support. He considered the outcome of his campaign a success, as he believed his work has helped make euthanasia a public matter in the nation.

Karsai invited Bishop Zoltán Balog to a public discussion after Balog's letter to him. The Reformed bishop accepted, but the synod asked the ex-minister to cease public discussion regarding euthanasia. Karsai stated that President Katalin Novák was not closed-minded when he asked her to pardon those assisting in euthanasia. Following her resignation, he continued discussions with President Tamás Sulyok, but he declined. Minister Gergely Gulyás said to Karsai that as a religious person, he cannot imagine authorizing the taking of another's life.

Karsai, , and wrote the play Egy tökéletes nap , which was based on his story. It premiered in June 2024 at the 6szín theater in Budapest. played a fragile woman on Karsai's back, representing ALS. In October, a book with the same name was published of the transcript of the play, interviews with the creators, and Karsai's public remarks.

Personal life Karsai played soccer in Láng Vasas, Műegyetemi AFC, the Council of Europe's team, and AS Neudorf. He practiced jujutsu for eleven years, reaching brown belt and first dan. He completed the National Blue Trail twice, climbed Kala Patthar, and visited a Mount Everest base camp and Machu Picchu. He was religious. In the 2024 European Parliament election, he voted for Momentum, as "the right to make end-of-life decisions was specifically mentioned in the election program".

Death and legacy On 28 September 2024, around 4 pm, Karsai felt unwell and was taken to the hospital. He died calmly at 10 pm after his ventilator was turned off at his request. His death at 47 was announced by his brother that day. On 26 October 2024, Karsai's ashes were scattered at an undisclosed location outside Budapest. Around 30 of his family members and closest friends attended, while listening to Mike Oldfield and drinking a little alcohol, in accordance with his final will.

Awards and honors Person of the Year, (2023) Person of the Year, Heti Világgazdaság (2023) Person of the Year, RTL Klub (2023) Hungarian Civil Order of Merit (2023) (2024) Honorary Citizen of the Berzsenyi Dániel Gimnázium (2024) Budapest Award (2024) SZABAD Award Audience Choice Award, HCLU (2024) István Bibó Democracy Award (2025, posthumous) Honorary Citizen of the 13th district of Budapest (2026, posthumous)

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