The Senate has handed for second studying a invoice in search of to ascertain a nationwide framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise tried suicide and supply rehabilitation for survivors, regardless of opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who insisted that tried suicide ought to nonetheless appeal to a jail time period.
The invoice, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), seeks to deal with what he described as a contradiction in Nigeria’s legal guidelines.
Ekpenyong argued that whereas the National Mental Health Act recognises tried suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring remedy, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code nonetheless criminalise the act.
He mentioned decriminalisation with out accessible care can be incomplete, noting that suicide has advanced causes and requires a humane, well being-targeted response.
According to him, criminalisation discourages individuals from in search of assist, encourages households to hide suicide makes an attempt and contributes to poor information on the problem.
He warned that continued punishment may create a state of affairs during which individuals experiencing misery really feel compelled to make sure their makes an attempt are deadly to keep away from prosecution.
The invoice proposes changing imprisonment with necessary evaluation, referral, remedy and comply with-up assist. It additionally offers for disaster helplines, coaching for cops, lecturers and well being staff, public enlightenment and a nationwide information system for suicide prevention.
However, Akpabio maintained that tried suicide ought to stay a felony offence, arguing that eradicating the penalty may encourage the act.
He added that the matter concerned each the Criminal Code and the Penal Code and would require enter from state Houses of Assembly throughout a public listening to to keep away from authorized conflicts.
The invoice has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for additional legislative consideration and a public listening to.
Speaking through the debate, Akpabio mentioned: “At the guts of this invoice is a straightforward query: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, ought to the primary response of the state be prosecution or safety?
“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail.”
The Senate has handed for second studying a invoice in search of to ascertain a nationwide framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise tried suicide and supply rehabilitation for survivors, regardless of opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who insisted that tried suicide ought to nonetheless appeal to a jail time period.
The invoice, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), seeks to deal with what he described as a contradiction in Nigeria’s legal guidelines.
Ekpenyong argued that whereas the National Mental Health Act recognises tried suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring remedy, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code nonetheless criminalise the act.
He mentioned decriminalisation with out accessible care can be incomplete, noting that suicide has advanced causes and requires a humane, well being-targeted response.
According to him, criminalisation discourages individuals from in search of assist, encourages households to hide suicide makes an attempt and contributes to poor information on the problem.
He warned that continued punishment may create a state of affairs during which individuals experiencing misery really feel compelled to make sure their makes an attempt are deadly to keep away from prosecution.
The invoice proposes changing imprisonment with necessary evaluation, referral, remedy and comply with-up assist. It additionally offers for disaster helplines, coaching for cops, lecturers and well being staff, public enlightenment and a nationwide information system for suicide prevention.
However, Akpabio maintained that tried suicide ought to stay a felony offence, arguing that eradicating the penalty may encourage the act.
He added that the matter concerned each the Criminal Code and the Penal Code and would require enter from state Houses of Assembly throughout a public listening to to keep away from authorized conflicts.
The invoice has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for additional legislative consideration and a public listening to.
Speaking through the debate, Akpabio mentioned: “At the guts of this invoice is a straightforward query: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, ought to the primary response of the state be prosecution or safety?
“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail.”
