As Amnesty International reported yesterday the African nation of Togo became the 94th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, and the 15th member of the African Union to do so.
In announcing his government’s plans to push for full repeal of capital punishment at the end of last year, Justice Minister Kokou Tozoun was clear and direct:
“This country has chosen to establish a healthy justice system that limits judicial errors…and guarantees the inherent rights of the individual. This (new) system is no longer compatible with a penal code that maintains the death penalty and grants the judiciary absolute power with irrevocable consequences.”
The vote for repeal, which passed unanimously in the Togo national assembly, is the latest act in the gradual but unmistakable trend towards worldwide abolition of the death penalty. Though only dimly visible in the U.S., where support for capital punishment is shrinking more slowly, this trend is very clear on a global scale, and it is particularly apparent in Africa. Burundi repealed the death penalty earlier this year, and Mali is reportedly considering abolition as well.
Hei..its an awesome decision..congrats Togo..
WTG, Togo! Congrats! I hope those who commit heinous crimes like murder shall be locked away from society in jail for the rest of their lives. And who knows, they may one day feel responsibility for what they have done and repent of their crimes so that there may be peace in Togo! 🙂
Hei..its an awesome decision..congrats Togo..
Yay Togo!
WTG, Togo! Congrats! I hope those who commit heinous crimes like murder shall be locked away from society in jail for the rest of their lives. And who knows, they may one day feel responsibility for what they have done and repent of their crimes so that there may be peace in Togo! 🙂