The Federal Government has begun the process of decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria following approval by the Federal Executive Council.
The move is aimed at changing the country’s approach to suicide attempts from one centred on punishment to one focused on healthcare, prevention and support for people experiencing severe emotional or psychological distress.
The Federal Government said the proposed reform recognises attempted suicide as a public health and human rights concern requiring appropriate intervention rather than criminal sanctions.
The development follows growing calls from health professionals, human rights advocates and other stakeholders for the removal of criminal penalties attached to attempted suicide.
Under the current legal framework, attempting suicide can attract criminal sanctions in Nigeria, a provision critics have argued could discourage vulnerable people from seeking medical or psychological assistance.
With the proposed reform, government agencies and other stakeholders are expected to work towards the necessary legislative changes to remove criminal liability for attempted suicide.
The government’s position reflects a broader shift towards treating suicide prevention as a public health issue, with emphasis on early intervention, mental health support and access to appropriate care.
The Federal Government is expected to engage relevant institutions as the process progresses, including those responsible for reviewing and amending the existing legal provisions.
The proposed decriminalisation is also expected to strengthen efforts to encourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts or surviving suicide attempts to seek help without fear of prosecution.
The government has reiterated the importance of providing care and support to vulnerable Nigerians as part of broader efforts to improve mental health outcomes across the country.
This version keeps the legal change as a process that has begun, rather than implying attempted suicide has already been decriminalised.
Post a Comment