Assistant Law Professor at the Kuwait University Fawaz Al-Khatib, said deporting victims of suicide attempts is illegal, saying attempt to commit suicide does not fall under the category of crime.
Al-Khatib said in a statement to Al-Qabas that those who attempt to end life are victims of psychological conditions, while incitement to end life is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a period of up to three years, according to Article 158 of the Penal Code 16/1960.
He pointed out Kuwaiti law stipulates precautionary measures to be taken with those who attempt suicide to protect them, and cited Article 95 of the Correctional Institutions Law, which stipulates precautionary measures may be taken to protect them (Prison Organization Law 26/1962).
Al-Khatib called on the Ministry of Interior to carry out its legal duties instead of terrorizing those who attempt suicide by deportation, as it must activate the law by referring them to medical and psychiatric examination and assessment and to work with Article 12 of Mental Health Law 14 of 2019, which allows investigators of the Ministry of Interior (General Department of Investigations) to transfer the person for a psychiatric evaluation in a mental health facility in order to examine him/her and assess his/her condition based on a written and justified request, as the suicide is considered justified by the serious threat to life and safety of the person who attempts suicide.
He added the deportation is also contrary to the law, given that Article 16 of the Aliens Residence Law identifies specific cases of deportation, (attempted suicide not included), which is considered a pathological condition that does not require the public interest, public security or public morals to deport the perpetrator, but rather to treat him in accordance with the constitutional duty stipulated in Article 15, which states that the state is obliged to take care of health and treatment for all people, a text that does not distinguish between a resident or a citizen.
