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| Africa Subsaharan | |
| Congo reinstates the death penalty after more than 20 years | |
| 2024-03-17 | |
| [AFRICANEWS] Congo has lifted a more than two-decade-old moratorium on the death penalty as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country, according to a justice ministry statement released on Friday. The statement, dated earlier this week, said the ban from 2003 allowed offenders accused of treason and espionage to get away without proper punishment. Eastern Congo has been riddled by conflict for decades, linked to more than 120 armed groups fighting for land and power and in some cases, protecting their communities. The government said the violence in the east has plagued the country with recurrent conflict and resulted in a surge of attacks that have spread terror among the communities. In recent years, the M23 rebel group
The violence in the province has worsened in recent weeks as security forces battle the rebels. Residents have said the group’s fighters mostly launch attack with bombs out of hills overlooking remote towns. In its statement, the justice ministry said capital punishment will be reserved for offenders involved in criminal conspiracies, armed gangs, insurrection — and also those who commit treason and war crimes. It will also be applied to the military, including those who rebel or desert and join enemy ranks. Rights groups have condemned the decision, calling it a step back for the country. “This initiative is against the constitution," said Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for Human Rights. “We don’t think that capital punishment and the execution of this sentence are appropriate measures to restore order.” Related: M23: 2024-03-13 Ramadan in Gaza begins with hunger worsening M23: 2024-03-13 Rwanda's President agrees to meet Felix Tshisekedi over eastern Congo crisis M23: 2024-02-27 Imam who 'called the French flag satanic' deported to North Africa, where the flags are all heavenly Related: Rwanda: 2024-03-15 James Crumbley, the father of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for failing to safely store the gun his 15-year-old son used to kill four students Rwanda: 2024-03-13 Rwanda's President agrees to meet Felix Tshisekedi over eastern Congo crisis Rwanda: 2024-02-23 'End support for M23 rebels, pull troops out of DR Congo' France tells Rwanda Related: Goma: 2024-02-23 'End support for M23 rebels, pull troops out of DR Congo' France tells Rwanda Goma: 2024-02-21 Rwanda rejects US calls for withdrawal of missiles, troops from eastern Congo Goma: 2024-02-20 Two South African Soldiers Killed in DRC Related: North Kivu: 2024-02-23 'End support for M23 rebels, pull troops out of DR Congo' France tells Rwanda North Kivu: 2024-02-21 Rwanda rejects US calls for withdrawal of missiles, troops from eastern Congo North Kivu: 2024-02-09 Thousands flee in eastern DR Congo as M23 rebels advance near Goma Related: M23 rebel: 2024-03-13 Rwanda's President agrees to meet Felix Tshisekedi over eastern Congo crisis M23 rebel: 2024-02-23 'End support for M23 rebels, pull troops out of DR Congo' France tells Rwanda M23 rebel: 2024-02-21 Rwanda rejects US calls for withdrawal of missiles, troops from eastern Congo | |
| Posted by:Fred |