During his participation in the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, Cameroonian lawmaker Cabral Libii presented a compelling case for the gradual abolition of capital punishment in Cameroon.

Libii argued that a true democratic society is one that balances the protection of life, the demands of justice, citizen security, and adherence to the rule of law. His advocacy goes beyond mere abolition—it calls for the strengthening of institutions so that justice inspires confidence without resorting to irreversible measures.

Cabral Libii highlighted that while Cameroon has not yet formally abolished the death penalty, it has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1997. This positions the country as an abolishtionist state in practice, a status that informed his reflections at the global forum.

The lawmaker outlined five key arguments supporting the progressive elimination of capital punishment:

• Preservation of life as a fundamental value: The international community, with two-thirds of nations moving toward reducing reliance on the death penalty, reflects a global trend worth embracing. Taking a life to demonstrate that killing is wrong creates contradictions, undermining opportunities for repentance, the burden of guilt, and the possibility of judicial error correction.
• Contextual evolution toward abolition: Each nation progresses within its unique historical, cultural, and security framework. Sustainable abolition requires an internal democratic process, driven by national institutions and embraced by society. Sensitization and education are critical, with lawmakers and civil society playing pivotal roles.
• Cameroon’s de facto moratorium: The country’s nearly three-decade pause on executions demonstrates a positive evolution that merits optimism.
• Justice over severity in crime prevention: Combating crime effectively demands an independent, impartial, and efficient justice system that upholds fundamental rights, rather than relying solely on harsh penalties.
• Balancing global standards with national realities: Advancing fundamental rights aligns with the global democratic standard, but implementation must consider local contexts to preserve legitimacy and accelerate progress.

Libii concluded that the death penalty debate should not pit human rights advocates against security or judicial rigidity proponents. Instead, a genuine democratic society reconciles life protection, justice, citizen safety, and adherence to the rule of law. The challenge lies not only in abolishing capital punishment but in building robust institutions where justice commands trust without resorting to the irreversible.