In the DRC, a lawyer seized the Constitutional Court on April 1, 2024 to try to cancel the measure decreed by the government on the reinstatement of the application of the death penalty. “ This note violates the Constitution », Estimates Maître Jeannot Lompempe, adding that “ even if there are problems with the army, with crime in our country, there is reason to be able to apply measures other than the death penalty “.
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the reestablishment of the application of the death penalty, suspended for 21 years, continues to be debated.
A lawyer, close to the opposition, seized the Constitutional Court on April 1, 2024 to try to cancel the measure decreed by the government to deal with the rise in urban crime, the activism of armed groups and acts of treachery within the security forces.
A measure already contested by the very influential Catholic Church, some civil society organizations and Western chancelleries.
Read alsoDRC: the Catholic Church stands against the reinstatement of the death penalty
Maître Jeannot Lompempe also considers the measure unconstitutional, as he explains on the microphone of our correspondent, Pascal Mulegwaat the exit of the high court.
“We cannot have a measure that violates our Constitution and international pacts”
“ This note violates the Constitutionhe says. It is true that we, in our country, have problems, but we have also agreed to give primacy to the Constitution in our country. This is why I approached the Court on this issue. It is even said in article 161: even when there is a state of siege or a state of emergency, cruel and inhuman treatment cannot be inflicted on Congolese citizens. This issue is so sensitive in our country and there is a national debate around it “.
He pursues : ” This measure falls within the framework of acts having the force of law as a regulation, this is how constitutional judges are competent to be able to rule on this question. Its very important ! Even if there are problems with the army and crime in our country, there is reason to be able to apply measures other than the death penalty. We, our country, have nevertheless signed international conventions, we have signed treaties for the protection of human rights. »
He concludes : “ Today, the Congo must be able to respect its commitments. We cannot have a measure that not only violates our Constitution, but also violates international pacts, this is not normal! On this question, it is very sensitive, the Constitutional Court can rule because this measure is unconstitutional. »
Read alsoThe DRC announces reinstatement of the application of the death penalty 20 years after a moratorium