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Mujrim Nahin Mareez; Decriminalize Suicide in Pakistan
Taskeen M.
started this petition to
Government of Pakistan
Trigger warning: Suicide
* Current Status: The bill to decriminalize suicide in Pakistan has been introduced in Senate and awaits approval by the Senators and Council of Islamic Ideology*
Suicide is a mental health crisis and a complication of untreated mental illness. It is a medical issue, not a criminal one. However, in an attempt to prevent suicide Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code mandates survivors of suicide attempts to be fined and jailed.
In any civilized society, survivors of suicide attempts receive supportive and compassionate medical care rather than being subject to criminal proceedings.
When we treat suicide as a criminal act we compromise the human rights of the victims. Families and loved ones of the victims spend more time hiding the suicide attempt rather than focusing on getting victims the required mental health support. In addition, the ordeal of prosecution is an added trauma to individuals already suffering from mental illness. The victims and their families become vulnerable to police harassment and extortion and are treated like criminals rather than being given the help they need. All of this can further worsen their condition, increasing the likelihood of them developing severe mental illnesses.
If we are to achieve a happy and healthy Pakistan, the time has come to repeal this draconian law which is a remnant of our oppressive colonial past. The Pakistan Mental Health Coalition (www.pakmh.com) intends to work with our lawmakers to repeal this unjust law.
Join our movement by signing this petition to successfully repeal Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code and let us show our support to sufferers of mental illness.
#mujrimnahinmareez
* Current Status: The bill to decriminalize suicide in Pakistan has been introduced in Senate and awaits approval by the Senators and Council of Islamic Ideology*
Suicide is a mental health crisis and a complication of untreated mental illness. It is a medical issue, not a criminal one. However, in an attempt to prevent suicide Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code mandates survivors of suicide attempts to be fined and jailed.
In any civilized society, survivors of suicide attempts receive supportive and compassionate medical care rather than being subject to criminal proceedings.
When we treat suicide as a criminal act we compromise the human rights of the victims. Families and loved ones of the victims spend more time hiding the suicide attempt rather than focusing on getting victims the required mental health support. In addition, the ordeal of prosecution is an added trauma to individuals already suffering from mental illness. The victims and their families become vulnerable to police harassment and extortion and are treated like criminals rather than being given the help they need. All of this can further worsen their condition, increasing the likelihood of them developing severe mental illnesses.
If we are to achieve a happy and healthy Pakistan, the time has come to repeal this draconian law which is a remnant of our oppressive colonial past. The Pakistan Mental Health Coalition (www.pakmh.com) intends to work with our lawmakers to repeal this unjust law.
Join our movement by signing this petition to successfully repeal Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code and let us show our support to sufferers of mental illness.
#mujrimnahinmareez
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