Criminal Law Regulation of Liability for Suicide in the Russian Criminal Legislation: The Past and Present

Abstract

A suicide means a deliberate and conscious termination of person's life. At the end of 20th — beginning of 21st century, the Russian Federation has experienced an extraordinary increase in the number of suicides. Human life is the most important, priceless good of permanent universal value, the loss of which is irreversible and irreparable. Human life is the highest social value protected by law. Article 20 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation proclaims: "Everyone has the right to life." This right is natural and inalienable, and it remains valid until the death of a human being.

However, the constitutional right to life does not necessarily mean that a person has the right to death. The Russian Constitution does not recognize the right to death.

Suicide is condemned by the society, religion and the State. To this end, the actual problem is the problem of punishability of suicide, particulary the possibility of imposing criminal punishment, the attitude towards which in Russia has historically been changeable.

The paper deals with the development of the Russian criminal legislation regulating responsibility for suicide. The rules establishing responsibility for suicide in different historical periods are subject to detailed scrutiny.

It has been determined that in Russia there is a centuries-old tradition not to criminalize suicide. The author has concluded that it is expedient to research the issue under consideration in the future.