Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his reported opposition to the decriminalisation of tried suicide, insisting that survivors want medical care and rehabilitation fairly than imprisonment.
Olajengbesi mentioned punishing individuals who survive suicide makes an attempt may worsen their psychological misery and discourage others experiencing psychological well being crises from in search of assist.
In an announcement on Wednesday, the lawyer urged political leaders to reveal empathy in the direction of Nigerians dealing with psychological challenges, warning towards feedback that would additional stigmatise susceptible folks.
“Our leaders need to show more empathy. Suggesting that anyone attempting suicide should ensure they die is deeply disturbing,” he mentioned.
Citing the Suicide Act 1961, Olajengbesi famous that England and Wales had decriminalised suicide, ending the prosecution of people that survived suicide makes an attempt.
He urged Nigeria to undertake an identical method by prioritising therapy, rehabilitation and restoration over felony punishment.
“A person who survives a suicide attempt needs urgent help. Sending that person to prison risks compounding the distress that brought them to that point,” he mentioned.
The lawyer described Akpabio’s reported remarks on the ground of the Senate as insensitive to the plight of Nigerians experiencing psychological crises, stressing that public workplace holders ought to train better care in addressing points referring to psychological well being.
He mentioned the underlying causes of psychological misery, together with financial hardship, trauma, isolation and psychological well being challenges, required compassionate and sensible interventions.
Olajengbesi additionally expressed assist for Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong’s place that Nigerians experiencing psychological crises deserved care, safety and a reputable path to restoration.
He mentioned changing felony punishment for tried suicide with medical evaluation, therapy, rehabilitation and accessible assist providers can be a step in the best course.
“Leadership should give people a reason to live and the support to recover,” he added.
The controversy adopted Tuesday’s Senate plenary, the place Akpabio opposed strikes to decriminalise tried suicide, insisting that survivors ought to be jailed.
The improvement got here because the Senate handed for second studying a invoice in search of to interchange felony punishment for tried suicide with medical therapy and rehabilitation.
Presenting the invoice, Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s current authorized framework was inconsistent as a result of the National Mental Health Act recognises tried suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, whereas provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code proceed to criminalise the act.
Under the proposed framework, survivors would bear acceptable medical evaluation, referral, therapy and follow-up assist as a substitute of dealing with imprisonment.
The invoice additionally seeks to strengthen early intervention by public training, disaster response providers and improved coordination amongst related establishments.
Following its second studying, the invoice was referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for additional legislative motion, together with a public listening to.
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