Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inAnna LorenWednesday 21 October 2026 18:06 BSTBurkina Faso has reinstated capital punishment six years (Getty/iStock)Burkina Faso's legislature has unanimously voted to reinstate capital punishment six years after it was abolished, adopting a new penal code for the West African nation.All 71 members of parliament voted in favour of the new penal code, which reintroduces the death penalty for crimes including terrorism, espionage, and treason.The move reverses the 2018 abolition enacted under former president Roch Marc Christian Kabore, although the country's last recorded execution took place in 1988.Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the decision, warning that the ruling military junta will use capital punishment to suppress political dissent.The reinstatement comes as Burkina Faso grapples with an escalating security crisis involving militant groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, with both government forces and insurgents accused of war crimes.In fullCountry votes to bring back death penalty just six years after abolishing itMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in