Burkina Faso’s transitional legislature has unanimously approved the reinstatement of the death penalty for offences including terrorism, treason and espionage, marking a major shift in the country’s criminal justice policy.
The revised penal code was passed on Tuesday, October 20, with all 71 members of the transitional legislature voting in favour of the legislation following its presentation by Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, armed groups, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaida-linked organisation, have also been accused by rights groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African country with a population of approximately 23 million, has been under military rule since a coup in 2022.
The junta has repeatedly postponed a return to civilian government, citing the need to address the insurgency and restore security.
The latest parliamentary decision is expected to intensify international scrutiny of the country’s human rights record as the military authorities pursue more stringent measures against terrorism and other serious offences.
