Sierra Leone Has Repealed the Death Penalty

Sierra Leone Has Repealed the Death Penalty

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone signed a law abolishing the death sentence in the country. Sierra Leone has now become the 23rd African country to abolish the death punishment.

Previously, people guilty of murder, treason, mutiny, or violent robbery might face the death penalty under the country's legal system. The Criminal Procedure Acts of Sierra Leone further stipulated that the execution be carried out by hanging or, in the case of a court-martial, by firing squad. There were supposed to be 39 death sentences in 2020. None of those executions, however, were carried out. In 1998, the country's last executions were carried out.

President Maada issued official directions to abolish the death penalty in February. Sierra Leone's parliament passed a law eliminating the death penalty in July. President Maada then signed the bill into law.