ECPM is calling on the authorities in Burkina Faso to abandon this draft law and reaffirm their commitment to a justice system that does not include the death penalty and is compliant with international human rights law.
The return of capital punishment would constitute an unprecedented setback for the protection of human dignity and isolate the country from the regional and international abolitionist movement.
continues Aminata Niakaté, President of ECPM
The draft bill must now be reviewed and adopted by the Transitional Legislative Assembly..
ECPM reaffirms that the death penalty constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and is incompatible with the universal values supported by Burkinabe society.
‘Re-establishing the death penalty would not improve local safety and the fight against terrorism, explains Aminata Niakaté. It would only fuel the dangerous illusion that it could protect society or reduce crime.’ continues Aminata Niakaté.
Burkina Faso abolished the death penalty in common law in 2018, under the presidency of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, with the last execution dating back to 1988.
Today, 113 states have abolished the death penalty in all circumstances, 9 have abolished it for ordinary crimes, 29 observe a moratorium on executions and 47 remain retentionist. In Africa, the trend is also towards abolition: 45 African States have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice, confirming a regional movement in favour of justice that respects the right to life.
Bertin Leblanc · 07 70 11 12 43 · bleblanc@ecpm.org
Aurélie Chatelard · 06 19 92 03 31 · achatelard@ecpm.org
