A major abolitionist gathering for the 60th ordinary session of the ACHPR

Homepage The campaign for the abolition of the death penalty on the African continent A major abolitionist gathering for the 60th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Niger

- African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
  A major abolitionist gathering for the 60th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Niger
  Article by Jessica Corredor published on May 19th, 2017
  The work of the 60th ordinary sessions of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) took place in Niger between the 8th and the 22th of May. Invited by SYNAFEN, one of its members, the World Coalition took this opportunity to gather in the margins of the ACHPR session.
- A synergy of national and international actors in Niger
  The Steering Committee of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty met on 6th and 7th May in Niamey, Niger. This two-days meeting began with an opening ceremony covered by Nigerien medias.
  
  This event was the occasion for Almoustapha Moussa, Secretary general of SYNAFEN and host of the Steering Committee to welcome the members. The President of the World Coalition, Elizabeth Zitrin, took this opportunity to recall “the importance of the work the World Coalition has achieved thanks to its members and partners”. The opening ceremony was also attended by Franck Hasser, Counsellor for the Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the French embassy.
  
  The National Commission of Human Rights of Niger was represented by the Secretary General, Amadou Alichina. He delivered a strong message on the abolition of the death penalty. Adressing the question of terrorism, Amadou Alichina emphasized on the “context where the issue of the death penalty plays a key role in the public debate”. He also raised the incoherence of some articles of the Nigerien penal code and expressed his concern regarding the resumption of the executions.
  
  The World Coalition had the opportunity to meet key actors of the fight against the death penalty in Niger, and among them the President of the National Commission of Human Rights of Niger, but also the Parliamentary Network for Human Rights. The synergy of this national and international actors strengthened the visibility of the Nigerien abolitionist actors as well as the World Coalition visibility in sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  The African continent’s walk toward the abolition of the death penalty
  The 9th of May, during the 60th ordinary session of the ACHPR, the Working Group on the death penalty and extrajudicial execution organized a panel on the death penalty.
  
  In its intervention, the Nigerien Ministry of Justice, Marou Amadou, declared that the abolition of the death penalty was “necessary, in conformity with modern constitutions and must be adopted” but also notified that the debate was going to be difficult in Niger. The vice president of the National Commission on Human Rights listed the obstacles that the abolitionist actors were going to faced, but affirmed the willingness for the NCHR to become a bridge between the civil society and the government to this end.
  
  The World Coalition, represented by its members FIACAT and FIDH, was invited to take the floor during this panel. The World Coalition highlighted the levers to achieve the abolition of the capital punishment in Africa and urged African Union member States to support the Protocol to the African Charter on the abolition of the death penalty.
  
  At the end of the panel, Malawi and Uganda’s delegates took the floor to share their government initiatives in favor of the abolition of the death penalty. Egypt’s delegate raised the issue of sovereignty, echoing the amendment to the UN moratorium resolution in December 2016.
  
  Mauritania called to order regarding human rights
  During this 60th session of the ACHPR, Mauritania presented its periodic report.
  
  The Commissioner Sylvie Kayitesi, President of the Working Group on the death penalty of the ACHPR raised several concerns regarding the death penalty in Mauritania. Even though Mauritania is abolitionist de facto since 1987, sentences to death are still being carried out, especially for crimes as adultery, apostasy or homosexuality which is a violation of the international law.
  
  The World Coalition against the Death Penalty granted with observer status
  It is also during the Niamey session that the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty was granted with observer status to the ACHPR. This status offers the possibility for the NGO’s to work directly with the African Commission on Human Rights, keeping it informed of the Human rights situation in their interventions areas and countries.
  
  The observer status will also give the World Coalition the possibility to receive support from the ACHPR for the promotion of its death penalty related activities in sub-Saharan Africa, as provided for by article 26 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
- Related
  - Syndicat national des agents de la formation et de l’éducation du Niger (SYNAFEN) Contact from Niger
  - Africa The abolitionists’ forum in Niger: a great success Article by Garba Illou Almoctar and Elise Guillot published on November 22nd, 2016
  - African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Renewed calls for the abolition of the death penalty at the NGO forum and the 59th Session of the ACHPR Article by Jessica Corredor published on November 25th, 2016
- Same issue
  - Africa Parliamentarians from French-speaking Africa commit to the abolition of the death penalty Article by Jessica Corredor published on January 17th, 2017
  - Protocol São Tomé and Príncipe ratifies OP2 and approves total and definitive abolition of the death penalty Article by Elise Guillot published on January 18th, 2017
  - Africa Towards the abolition of the death penalty in DRC: advances to be confirmed Article by Olivier LUNGWE FATAKI - Pax Christi Uvira published on December 13th, 2016
  - African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Renewed calls for the abolition of the death penalty at the NGO forum and the 59th Session of the ACHPR Article by Jessica Corredor published on November 25th, 2016
  - World Day Africa raises its voice against the death penalty Article by Tiziana Trotta published on October 21st, 2016
  - African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 58th Extraordinary Session of the ACHPR: a strong commitment of African states to a treaty providing the abolition of the death penalty Article by Guillaume Colin published on April 14th, 2016
  - Africa African Commission adopts draft Protocol on abolition Article by Maria Donatelli published on April 24th, 2015
  - Africa In Cameroon, the abolitionist network grows Article by Nestor Toko and Jessica Corredor published on October 28th, 2016
  - Africa Abolition of the death penalty in Guinea Article by Marion Gauer published on July 05th, 2016
  - Africa The abolitionists’ forum in Niger: a great success Article by Garba Illou Almoctar and Elise Guillot published on November 22nd, 2016
  - Africa Pardon Prisoners On Death Row Article by Lucy Peace Nantume published on November 08th, 2016
  - Protocol ACAT-CI commits to the ratification of OP2 in Côte d’Ivoire Article by N'guettia Yves Arsene Kouadio - ACAT Côte d'Ivoire published on January 04th, 2017
  - Good News Tanzania: President Magufuli declares his position against the death penalty. Article by Thalia Gerzso published on September 20th, 2017
  - Good News Gambia and Madagascar commit to irreversible abolition Article by Aurelie Placais published on September 22nd, 2017
  - Democratic Republic of the Congo: the abolitionists organize workshops for journalists Article by Thalia Gerzso published on September 25th, 2017
  - Africa Makwanyane Institute Is Launched at Cornell Law School Article by Sherrie Negrea, Cornell Law School published on July 17th, 2017
  - Africa Toward the abolition in Cameroon Article by Lorène du Crest et Nicolas Perron published on July 06th, 2017
  - Africa Innocent and Sentenced to Die: Wrongful Incarceration on Nigeria's Death Row Video published on October 14th, 2016
- Worldwide database
  Niger
- Death penalty law status:
  
  De facto abolitionist
  
  Geographical region:
  
  Africa (Western Africa)
  
  Method(s) of execution:
  
  Shooting
  
  Year of last execution:
  
  1976
  
  Executions in 2017:
  
  0
- Source: Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern University School of Law
- Last updated: 26 March 2012
- Keywords
- International law Trend Towards Abolition
- Other Articles
- ACHPR The death penalty at the heart of the debates of the 62nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
- Joint Statement Mauritania. Mandatory Death Penalty for Blasphemy
- Report “Unknown Assailants: A Threat to Human Rights”