Dubai: The Penal Law in the UAE prohibits people from committing suicide or attempting suicide or even motivating someone to commit suicide.
People who attempt to kill themselves are treated as suspects and are prosecuted before the Misdemeanours Court.
“A suicide attempt is treated as a crime and the suspect is referred to the Misdemeanours Court. The law forbids a person from trying to put an end to his/her life. Those who fail to commit suicide may be prosecuted regardless of the reasons that pushed them to attempt suicide,” a senior prosecutor told Gulf News.
Meanwhile, being an accomplice to suicide is also a criminal act in the UAE, and any person who incites or encourages another person to commit suicide could also be punished, added the prosecutor.
Lawyer Eisa Bin Haidar said judges frequently slap fines on those who attempt suicide.
“Under Article 335 of the UAE Federal Penal Law, a suspect who attempts suicide faces a maximum of six months in prison and/or a maximum fine of Dh5,000,” explained Bin Haidar.
Advocate Uday Al Kazwini said the idea of committing suicide requires courage because a person would be committing an act against himself.
“The person who attempts suicide is either very stupid or solidly fearless. The act of killing requires bravery so how about when it is to kill oneself? It is very silly to commit suicide due to financial strain. Nowadays ordinary people are facing debts and many others are being born in debt as well… so it’s silly to end your life over financial pressure because this is something controllable. Laws here are deterrent enough to punish those who attempt suicide. Meanwhile, if a suspect incites another person to commit suicide then he/she could be prosecuted and face a punishment similar to that of killing or attempted murder,” said Al Kazwini.
