The ICCPR-OP2 is the only universal international treaty which is designed to abolish the death penalty. So far, 82 States are party to the Protocol, which shows a growing consensus in the international community that capital punishments should be outlawed. State Parties to the ICCPR-OP2 cannot withdraw, thus making the abolition of the capital punishment final.

Togo abolished the death penalty by revising its Criminal Code in 2009. The last execution was carried out in 1978. In 2011, Togo had committed to ratify the ICCPR-OP2 during the examination of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council. To follow up on this promise, Togolese parliamentarians and in particular PGA Members Hon. Jean-Joël Kissi (Chair of the Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Committee) and Hon. Derman Assouma (Chair of the Human Rights Committee) introduced a bill authorizing the ratification of the ICCPR-OP2 as a priority item during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly in July 2015, which was adopted on 10 July 2015.

The country’s accession to the ICCPR-OP2 is the result of PGA Members’ pivotal contribution to the adoption of the bill authorizing the ratification in 2015. PGA Members worldwide are committed to using their leadership to promote the abolition of the death penalty, including through ratification of this crucial international instrument.

PGA’s Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, created in 2014, will continue to support, enhance and maximize the impact of individual initiatives by parliamentarians to further the abolition of the capital sentence, as well as lead targeted campaigns in selected countries to ensure concrete advancements on the abolition processes.

The final instrument of accession of Togo to the Second Optional Protocol is the final step in the abolition of the death penalty in the country. I believe that now all Togolese parliamentarians are aware that death sentences and executions are a violation of human rights, and in particular the right life – which underpins all the others. While other countries around the world are considering reinstating the death penalty, I am proud that my country has committed to remaining abolitionist.
 
Hon. Jean-Joël Kissi (Togo), Member of PGA

As a Guinean parliamentarian and PGA Member, I can only welcome Togo’s accession to the Second Optional Protocol aiming at abolishing the death penalty. My fellow members of Guinea’s National Assembly and I adopted a new Criminal Code on 4 July 2016, which also abolishes the death penalty. I remain committed to following the example of my Togolese peers and to advocating for the ratification of the Protocol by my country.

Hon. Fodé Marega (Guinea), Member of PGA