Chad Abolishes Death Penalty For Terrorism-Related Crimes

The new law replaces legislation that was introduced on July 30, 2015, which made acts of terrorism punishable by death.

Chad passed a new anti-terrorism law on Tuesday that abolishes the death penalty for terrorism-related crimes in the country, parliament announced.

The death penalty was reinstated for terror crimes – after the government said in 2014 it would be abolished – because of attacks by the terror group Boko Haram in the capital of N’Djamena.

The attack left 67 dead, including 10 suicide bombers, and 182 injured.

The move now abolishes the death penalty in Chad overall.

At the time, civil and human rights groups were opposed to the move, concerned that it could be used to curb rights.

In 2018, after four prisoners were sentenced to death in Chad, the European Union called on the government to join the majority of African Union states that had abolished the death penalty.

Boko Haram, meanwhile, continues to pose a threat to communities in Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon.