Rwanda National Police (RNP) is calling on community residents to keep an eye on any individuals who may appear to be suicidal and alert police or local authorities to provide necessary help.
The call follows three separate incidences whereby three people commited suicide in Musanze and Rutsiro Districts.
A 37 year old man in Boneza Sector, Rutsiro District hanged on a rope to death. A similar case happened in the same district in Manihira Sector, where a 35 year old man also took his life with on a rope.
In Musaze District, Gashaki Sector, a 30 year old man was also found to be hanging by a rope, and is believed to have committed suicide.
The three bodies were taken for postmortem, as police continues further investigations into the matters.
The Police Spokesperson for Western Region, Inspector Theobald Kanamugire, urged residents to take seriously any mention of suicide by trying to advise anyone out of their suicidal plans.
“Timely counsel prevents suicide; therefore, if you notice that someone is suicidal, you should try and talk them through whatever they’re going through and advise them to seek professional help. If they do not respond to your attempts, and seem like they are still going to commit suicide, immediately inform police and local authorities,” IP Kanamugire said.
“No matter what someone is going through, suicide should never be seen as the answer. Therefore, concerned residents are advised to raise awareness to the situation by telling members of the community to offer support to anyone who exhibits suicidal traits.”
He called on partners in crime prevention such as Community Policing Committees and Youth in Crime Prevention, to reach out to the public and discuss suicide prevention measures, among other crime prevention initiatives.
Suicide shall not be punishable, according to article 145 of the Rwandan Penal Code, however, any person who induces, helps, or provokes another person to commit suicide; shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two to five years.
Source: RNP
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