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Congo has lifted a moratorium on the death penalty that had been in place for more than two decades, aiming to address escalating violence and militant attacks in the country, as stated in a justice ministry statement released on Friday.
According to the statement issued earlier this week, the 2003 ban, which exempted offenders accused of treason and espionage from facing appropriate punishment, was deemed inadequate.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by conflict, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of land and power, sometimes resorting to violence to safeguard their communities.
The government attributes the violence in the east to recurrent conflict, leading to a surge in attacks that have instilled fear among local populations.
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In recent years, the M23 rebel group, considered the most dominant in the region and allegedly linked to neighboring Rwanda, has continued to launch attacks on villages, prompting many residents to flee to Goma, the largest city in the region. M23 has besieged several communities, gaining control over approximately half of North Kivu province.
The violence in the province has escalated in recent weeks as security forces engage with the rebels. Residents report that the group primarily carries out attacks using bombs from hills overlooking remote towns.
The justice ministry’s statement specifies that capital punishment will be reserved for offenders involved in criminal conspiracies, armed gangs, insurrection, as well as those committing treason and war crimes. It will also apply to military personnel, including deserters and those joining enemy ranks.
Rights groups have criticized the decision, denouncing it as a setback for the country.
Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for Human Rights, stated, “This initiative goes against the constitution. We do not believe that capital punishment and its implementation are appropriate measures to restore order.”
Source: Africa News