The Judicial Service has issued a reminder to all judges and magistrates that attempted suicide is no longer considered a criminal offense, and individuals who attempt it should not face prosecution or conviction.
In an official notice dated October 18, 2024, signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, the service reiterated that attempted suicide was decriminalized by the Criminal Offences Amendment Act of 2023. The reminder was directed to all circuit court judges and magistrates.
The decriminalization stems from amendments to Section 57 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 95 of the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 546), through Act 1092.
The letter emphasized, “Circuit Court judges and magistrates are to take note for compliance.”
Background
In June 2023, Parliament passed amendments to the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, removing the criminality of attempted suicide. The new law views individuals who attempt suicide as needing mental health support rather than being punished by imprisonment.
