Speaking at the 9th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris, France, the Cameroonian deputy is advocating for a gradual abolition of capital punishment in Cameroon.
According to Cabral Libii, “A truly democratic society is one that manages to reconcile the protection of life, the demand for justice, the safety of citizens, and respect for the rule of law. The challenge is not only to abolish the death penalty but also to build strong institutions so that justice inspires confidence without having to resort to the irreversible.”
“We are honored to be among the officials, parliamentarians, and ministers of justice from over 130 nationalities participating in this world congress against the death penalty.”
Cameroon has not yet abolished the death penalty, but it has conducted no executions since 1997. It can therefore be considered a de facto abolitionist state. This observation inspired the following reflections, which we shared at the 9th World Congress:
1. The protection of life is a fundamental value. The international community (two-thirds of countries) is generally moving towards a gradual reduction in the use of capital punishment, and this trend deserves to be examined with enthusiasm.
Furthermore, shortening a convict’s life, killing them to show that killing is wrong and that what they did is unforgivable, compromises several things: repentance, the removal of the heaviest penalty—the weight of their guilt and the lasting remorse it generates—and the possibility of rectifying a judicial error.
2. Each state evolves within its own historical, cultural, and security context. Progress towards abolition can only be sustainable if it results from an internal democratic process, carried by national institutions and accepted by society. Raising awareness and educating the masses is therefore essential. The role of elected officials and civil society is particularly important here.
3. Despite retaining the death penalty in its positive law, Cameroon has observed a de facto moratorium on executions for nearly thirty years. This practice reflects an evolution that should be noted with optimism.
4. The fight against crime depends above all on the quality of justice. The real response to the most serious crimes lies in an independent, impartial, effective judiciary that respects fundamental rights, rather than solely in the severity of sentences. This is our postulate and the meaning of our personal struggle in our home country, Cameroon.
5. The progress of fundamental rights is part of a movement towards a global standard of democratic society, but this standard must be implemented taking into account national realities, in order to preserve its legitimacy and accelerate progress.
Ultimately, the death penalty debate should not pit human rights defenders against advocates of security or judicial rigidity.
A truly democratic society is precisely one that manages to reconcile the protection of life, the demand for justice, the safety of citizens, and respect for the rule of law. The challenge is not only to abolish the death penalty but also to build strong institutions so that justice inspires confidence without resorting to the irreversible,” wrote Cabral Libii.
