Story How France Pioneered the Decriminalization of Suicide and Shaped Global Perspectives

[L'absent]

Before France in 1791, suicide was considered a crime pretty much everywhere in the world. In ancient Rome, it wasn't exactly treated as a "modern" crime, but if someone took their own life, their family would suffer punishments like confiscation of property, and the body would be displayed as a warning. Then, with the Church during the Middle Ages, things got worse: suicide was seen as a grave sin, and those who died by suicide were not only denied a Christian burial, but their families would be punished too. In England, if you committed suicide, you were charged with "murdering yourself," and your body would be put on display, with your assets seized. Japan had a different view; while samurai had ritual suicide (seppuku) as an act of honor, regular suicide was still viewed negatively for others.
Then everything changed with France in 1791. France was one of the most enlightened nations in this regard, with the Revolution completely changing the way life and death were viewed. By decriminalizing suicide, France sent a huge message to the rest of the world: suicide is not a crime, but a human act, often linked to inner suffering. It was a pivotal moment in the history of medicine and justice, a huge step toward understanding mental illness and human dignity. France, with its revolutionary spirit, made a bold statement that set an example for the world.
After them, in 1871, Germany followed suit, decriminalizing suicide with the introduction of its Penal Code. Italy did the same in 1889 with the Zanardelli Code, treating suicide not as a crime but as a health issue. The Netherlands had already done this in 1811, and Denmark in 1849 decriminalized suicide, contributing to the spread of this more human and understanding view. Sweden in 1864 decriminalized suicide, as did Norway in 1902 and Finland in 1894. The United Kingdom finally decriminalized suicide in 1961 with the Suicide Act, removing criminal sanctions for suicide attempts in England and Wales. In 1972, Canada followed suit, and Australia decriminalized suicide in 1973, with reforms gradually taking place in various states.
Switzerland did it in 1927, and Austria in 1950, joining the trend of treating suicide as a medical issue rather than a legal one. Belgium also decriminalized suicide in 1867, while Portugal did so only in 1990, updating its laws. More recently, in 2017, India decriminalized suicide with the Mental Healthcare Act, treating suicide as a mental health issue instead of a crime.
As for the United States, the situation has been more complex, with each state making its own decisions. For example, New Jersey decriminalized suicide as early as 1845, while New York did so in 1828. California decriminalized suicide in 1872, and Texas had to wait until 1973 to do the same. Florida followed in 1969. Each state had its own timeline, with decriminalization happening at different times, reflecting the varying social and legal evolution.
Today, many countries see suicide as a mental health issue rather than a crime, but there are still countries where suicide is treated as a crime. Some examples include Sri Lanka, where it is still a punishable offense; Indonesia, which punishes suicide attempts, though laws are rarely enforced; Pakistan, where suicide is punished with jail time; Malaysia, where it is still criminalized; and even Jamaica and Nigeria, where suicide is still treated as a crime. In these countries, the laws exist, but enforcement is often weak, even though suicide remains formally a crime.
In general, though, the decriminalization of suicide followed a long path, with France being the pioneer, and its influence was crucial for the changes that followed, both in Europe and around the world. France, with its enlightened choice in 1791, truly sparked a revolution that forever changed how we treat life, death, and human suffering.

 

[Loaf of bread]

This is very interesting! Yet another effect of the French Revolution. Its good that suicide is now treated as a health issue instead of a criminal one. Mayhaps one day suicide could be treated as a human right, as switzerland already has done.

 

[L'absent]

This is very interesting! Yet another effect of the French Revolution. Its good that suicide is now treated as a health issue instead of a criminal one. Mayhaps one day suicide could be treated as a human right, as switzerland already has done.

To push governments to consider suicide as a right tied to self-determination, an approach integrating law, culture, medicine, and psychology would be necessary. First and foremost, we must promote the idea that every person has the right to decide about their own life, including the right to end it if they are suffering or no longer wish to exist. This should be included in international human rights treaties, emphasizing individual freedom. Moreover, it would be crucial for more countries to follow the example set by Switzerland (as Belgium and the Netherlands have already done), where assisted death is legal and regulated, with a safe and structured process. On a global level, it is important to combat the stigma surrounding suicide, often seen as a taboo due to moral or religious reasons, and educate people about mental suffering, promoting a more compassionate approach. It would not be about encouraging suicide, but about making the process humane, regulated, and supported for those who are truly determined to make this choice. In this context, creating a psychological and medical support system to help people address their decision consciously would be crucial. This support could include, if necessary, the use of appropriate medications or even controlled substances to alleviate anxiety and psychological pain, always under medical supervision. The idea is to guide the person towards a dignified end, without the process being hindered by untreated psychological suffering or inner conflicts, allowing those who have made the decision to experience it more serenely. Legally, it would be important to have regulations allowing those in situations of suffering or terminal illness to choose without feeling criminalized. In the long term, the World Health Organization could become a key ally in promoting assisted suicide as a matter of mental health and human dignity, through education, research, and the creation of laws that respect these rights. The French Revolution began in 1789 and has never ended.

 

[Tommen Baratheon]

What's the source of this information? Looks like ChatGPT or something similar.

Anyway, France may have had a liberal view on suicide, they now let people suffer until the very end because they don't have legal euthanasia. In 2023 110 foreigners were euthanised in Belgium, 101 came from France.

Source: overlegorganen.gezondheid.belgie.be/nl/documenten/persbericht-fcee-euthanasie-cijfers-van-2023

 

[brokeandbroken]

View attachment 157788Before France in 1791, suicide was considered a crime pretty much everywhere in the world. In ancient Rome, it wasn't exactly treated as a "modern" crime, but if someone took their own life, their family would suffer punishments like confiscation of property, and the body would be displayed as a warning. Then, with the Church during the Middle Ages, things got worse: suicide was seen as a grave sin, and those who died by suicide were not only denied a Christian burial, but their families would be punished too. In England, if you committed suicide, you were charged with "murdering yourself," and your body would be put on display, with your assets seized. Japan had a different view; while samurai had ritual suicide (seppuku) as an act of honor, regular suicide was still viewed negatively for others.
Then everything changed with France in 1791. France was one of the most enlightened nations in this regard, with the Revolution completely changing the way life and death were viewed. By decriminalizing suicide, France sent a huge message to the rest of the world: suicide is not a crime, but a human act, often linked to inner suffering. It was a pivotal moment in the history of medicine and justice, a huge step toward understanding mental illness and human dignity. France, with its revolutionary spirit, made a bold statement that set an example for the world.
After them, in 1871, Germany followed suit, decriminalizing suicide with the introduction of its Penal Code. Italy did the same in 1889 with the Zanardelli Code, treating suicide not as a crime but as a health issue. The Netherlands had already done this in 1811, and Denmark in 1849 decriminalized suicide, contributing to the spread of this more human and understanding view. Sweden in 1864 decriminalized suicide, as did Norway in 1902 and Finland in 1894. The United Kingdom finally decriminalized suicide in 1961 with the Suicide Act, removing criminal sanctions for suicide attempts in England and Wales. In 1972, Canada followed suit, and Australia decriminalized suicide in 1973, with reforms gradually taking place in various states.
Switzerland did it in 1927, and Austria in 1950, joining the trend of treating suicide as a medical issue rather than a legal one. Belgium also decriminalized suicide in 1867, while Portugal did so only in 1990, updating its laws. More recently, in 2017, India decriminalized suicide with the Mental Healthcare Act, treating suicide as a mental health issue instead of a crime.
As for the United States, the situation has been more complex, with each state making its own decisions. For example, New Jersey decriminalized suicide as early as 1845, while New York did so in 1828. California decriminalized suicide in 1872, and Texas had to wait until 1973 to do the same. Florida followed in 1969. Each state had its own timeline, with decriminalization happening at different times, reflecting the varying social and legal evolution.
Today, many countries see suicide as a mental health issue rather than a crime, but there are still countries where suicide is treated as a crime. Some examples include Sri Lanka, where it is still a punishable offense; Indonesia, which punishes suicide attempts, though laws are rarely enforced; Pakistan, where suicide is punished with jail time; Malaysia, where it is still criminalized; and even Jamaica and Nigeria, where suicide is still treated as a crime. In these countries, the laws exist, but enforcement is often weak, even though suicide remains formally a crime.
In general, though, the decriminalization of suicide followed a long path, with France being the pioneer, and its influence was crucial for the changes that followed, both in Europe and around the world. France, with its enlightened choice in 1791, truly sparked a revolution that forever changed how we treat life, death, and human suffering.

Is it really decriminalized in the US or just shifted to where it's easier punish someone and with greater impact and with far less legal abilities to fight? If you a depressed and suicidal you are stripped of your rights in the US in the psychward lose rights in court, forced on mind altering medications, and bonus it goes on your record like you are crazy. Could be horribly schizophrenic or just really depressed doesnt matter. So you also can't get jobs. You'd be better off going to prison on drug charges people will help them. Give them jobs... Basically a if you weren't wanting to die before you will be situation! Doesn't matter that your lawyer didn't give a shit, the doctor didn't give a shit, or any other bullshit. You don't even get to change out of the psychward scrubs, get a haircut, anything to not look crazy. How the hell do you argue you don't have a delusion you've never talked about (depression with delusions of nihilism which wasn't even the presenting reason i went it wasnt even in any paperwork really). The only thing you can do is not talk about it. How the fuck do you prove you have not it. It's like a fucking witch floating. It's fucking bullshit. So yeah it is punished in the US and I'd argue harsher. It's have fun without any job opportunities, help, and homeless. The court appointed prosecutor wants you broken and homeless and your public defender who doesn't do shit is thinking about the case that's going to make him money that isn't yours so he can't even be bothered to help you.

 

[L'absent]

Is it really decriminalized in the US or just shifted to where it's easier punish someone and with greater impact and with far less legal abilities to fight? If you a depressed and suicidal you are stripped of your rights in the US in the psychward lose rights in court, forced on mind altering medications, and bonus it goes on your record like you are crazy. Could be horribly schizophrenic or just really depressed doesnt matter. So you also can't get jobs. You'd be better off going to prison on drug charges people will help them. Give them jobs... Basically a if you weren't wanting to die before you will be situation! Doesn't matter that your lawyer didn't give a shit, the doctor didn't give a shit, or any other bullshit. You don't even get to change out of the psychward scrubs, get a haircut, anything to not look crazy. How the hell do you argue you don't have a delusion you've never talked about (depression with delusions of nihilism which wasn't even the presenting reason i went it wasnt even in any paperwork really). The only thing you can do is not talk about it. How the fuck do you prove you have not it. It's like a fucking witch floating. It's fucking bullshit. So yeah it is punished in the US and I'd argue harsher. It's have fun without any job opportunities, help, and homeless. The court appointed prosecutor wants you broken and homeless and your public defender who doesn't do shit is thinking about the case that's going to make him money that isn't yours so he can't even be bothered to help you.

Your analysis is extremely insightful and highlights a reality often overlooked: while suicide is no longer considered a crime in the United States, the current system can be just as punitive for those seeking help.
In my opinion, though, it's important to make a distinction, because not all states in the U.S. have the same treatment. Some states have adopted more progressive approaches to mental health. For example, in Oregon and Vermont, the debate over personal autonomy has extended to the right to assisted death in specific circumstances, signaling greater respect for individual dignity. At the same time, states like California and New York have begun reforms to improve psychological support, though there are still gaps in the system.
As for European countries, many have followed a similar path. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland were pioneers in decriminalizing suicide, treating it as a mental health issue rather than a crime. Switzerland, in particular, has regulated assisted suicide, while others like Belgium and the Netherlands have laws allowing euthanasia under specific conditions. However, even in these countries, the debate continues on how to strike a balance between self-determination and the prevention of avoidable suffering.
In the United States, however, in many other states, psychiatric hospitalization still results in the loss of rights, forced treatments, and stigmatization that can permanently hinder reintegration into society. The forced administration of medications, the difficulty of finding employment due to diagnoses in records, and the lack of post-hospital support systems are problems that exacerbate suffering.
I think change should come from an open and differentiated dialogue that acknowledges the varying experiences across states and countries and aims to standardize the best practices. Respect for dignity and self-determination must be the central focus of any reform regarding mental health and suicide.
Thank you for sharing this perspective: it is a strong reminder of how much work remains to be done to build truly compassionate systems.