BURKINA FASO REINSTATES DEATH PENALTY AFTER UNANIMOUS VOTE

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Agency Report

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has reinstated the death penalty following a unanimous vote by the country’s unelected legislature, the Justice Ministry said on Tuesday.

The new penal code reintroduces capital punishment, which was abolished in the West African country in 2018.

According to the Justice Ministry, the legislation “aims to strengthen public order, consolidate the nation’s fundamental values and guarantee security for people and property”.

Burkina Faso has been under military rule since a coup in 2022.

The country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, had announced plans last year to reinstate the death penalty.

State news agency AIB reported that offences punishable by death under the new penal code would include terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and the importation of expired or prohibited products that cause death.

According to Amnesty International, Burkina Faso last carried out an execution in 1988.

The human rights organisation had urged the country not to reintroduce capital punishment.

AFP