Burkina Faso's junta reinstates death penalty in new penal code

Burkina Faso's military regime has enacted a new criminal code that brings back the death penalty, following a unanimous vote by the 71 members of the Assembly of the People's Legislative, which functions as the parliament. The justice ministry stated that crimes including terrorism, espionage, treason, parricide and the importation of dangerous prohibited items will be liable to capital punishment. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, justified the measure as necessary for public order and national security.

Human-rights groups have documented the forced recruitment of journalists and magistrates to combat jihadist groups that have plagued the nation for years. The death penalty was previously eliminated in 2018 during the civilian rule of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.