Côte d'Ivoire, towards the definitive and irreversible abolition of the death penalty
Abidjan, Paris, 04 June 2024
Côte d'Ivoire took a decisive step on May 3 2024, when it deposited its instrument of accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (OP2-ICPPR). By doing so, the Ivorian authorities reaffirm their commitment to the definitive and irreversible abolition of the death penalty.
Côte d'Ivoire has a long abolitionist tradition. Although death sentences have been pass, no executions have been carried out since independence.
In 2000, the death penalty was abolished by the Constitution. In 2015, life imprisonment replaced capital punishment in the Penal Code. The 2016 Constitution reinforced this position by stating, "The right to life is inviolable. No one has the right to take the life of another'. The death penalty is abolished."
On 6 June 2023, the Ivorian Senate voted in favor of the bill authorizing ratification of the OP2-PIDCP, following a unanimous vote by the National Assembly.
Action des Chrétiens pour l'Abolition de la Torture de Côte d'Ivoire (ACAT CI), the Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l'Homme (LIDHO), the International Federation of ACATs (FIACAT) and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, which have been working for many years to secure Côte d'Ivoire's accession to the Second Optional Protocol to abolish the death penalty, warmly congratulate the Ivorian Government and Parliament on this historic step.
Côte d'Ivoire thus becomes the 17th African State party to accede the UN treaty. To date, 91 of the 173 United Nations Member States that are parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have acceded to the Second Protocol.
The Ivorian authorities are thus confirming their determination to make Côte d'Ivoire a champion of abolition on the continental. Our organizations also welcome Côte d'Ivoire's role in the African Union's review of the draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the abolition of the death penalty in Africa.
Press contacts:
- Paul Kouadio, President of ACAT Côte d'Ivoire: acat_ci2230@yahoo.fr / +225 0778024337
- Neth Willy Alexandre, President of the Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l'Homme: lidhosiege@yahoo.fr
- Xavière Prugnard, FIACAT Representative to the African Union: x.prugnard@fiacat.org
- Bronwyn Dudley, Program Manager, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty: bdudley@worldcoalition.org
 20240604 Press release - Ratification OP2-ICCPR.pdf |