John Adoyi, PBA Journalism MenteeFollowing intense pressure from Portugal and other international human rights organisations, Equatorial Guinea has finally repealed the law that allows for death penalty.
The law called ”Resolution 426” was signed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Monday ushering in a new era for human rights in the oil-rich nation.
The abolition of death penalty from the laws of the Central African country was a thing that was promised in 2014 when it became a member of the Community of Portuguese language speaking countries (CPLP).
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Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the current president announced the repeal on Twitter, describing it as “historical and memorable for our country in the management of respect for Human Rights.” He said: ”I write it with capital letters to seal this unique moment: “EQUATORIAL GUINEA HAS ABOLISHED THE DEATH PENALTY”
This law was approved by all members of the Central African country parliament, a parliament controlled by the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), the political party of President Obiang Nguema who has been in power since 1979 (43 years).
According to the AFP, The measure will come into force in the 90 days following its publication in the official state journal.
The last time Equatorial Guinea applied the death sentence was in 2014 and it has promised since then, to abolish the capital punishment which it finally did 8 years later after it was approved by members of parliament
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