The Death Penalty in Africa

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'While countries in North America and Asia who claim to provide moral leadership to the world still strangle and poison to death people on judicial order, nearly three quarters of African countries have either by law or in practice abolished capital punishment. This comprehensively researched and critically engaged book explains the historical context in which abolition in Africa has advanced.' Hon. Justice Albie Sachs, Former Constitutional Judge of the South African Constitutional Court 'This is the most comprehensive and analytical study on the death penalty in Africa so far. It is both useful and inspiring, and should be read by all scholars and activists interested in the abolition of the death penalty in Africa and around the world.' Jean-Marie Kamatali, Ohio Northern University Law School, USA 'The Death Penalty in Africa presents another valuable contribution from African scholarship. The work challenges stereotypes by showing Africa as a highly diverse continent, and arguing for the uncomfortable truth of how for a century the death penalty has been used as an instrument of political oppression.' Roelof H. Haveman, senior rule of law policy advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands 'This seminal work interrogates a few myths surrounding the origins of capital punishment on the African continent. It goes further in providing empirical evidence for its leaders to revisit their stance against abolition. This work constitutes a major contribution to human rights, not just for Africa but internationally.' Vinodh Jaichand, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 'This study provides a balanced approach to the abolition of the death penalty in Africa. It presents a very important and commendable study not only for the African Commission for Human and People's Rights and its Working Group on the death penalty, but also to African civil society, academics, researchers and decision-makers whose fight is, amo