At 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.

In his address, Libii emphasized that a truly democratic society is one that balances the protection of life, the demands of justice, and the security of its citizens—without relying on irreversible measures like the death penalty. He argued that while Cameroon has not yet formally abolished the death penalty, it has maintained an unofficial moratorium since 1997, effectively functioning as an abolitionist state in practice.

The lawmaker outlined five key arguments in favor of progressive reform:

1. Life is a fundamental value. Two-thirds of the world’s nations have moved toward reducing reliance on capital punishment. This global trend reflects a growing recognition that the death penalty fails to serve as an effective deterrent or a just response to crime.
2. Societal evolution must drive change. While each nation’s journey toward abolition is unique, lasting progress depends on internal democratic processes, robust national institutions, and broad societal acceptance. Public education and advocacy by elected officials and civil society are essential to fostering this shift.
3. Cameroon’s long-standing moratorium. The absence of executions for nearly three decades demonstrates a significant shift in national attitudes. This silent progress should be acknowledged and built upon with optimism.
4. Justice, not severity, is the answer to crime. Effective crime prevention stems from a justice system that is independent, impartial, and grounded in fundamental rights—not from harsher penalties alone. This is the cornerstone of Libii’s advocacy in Cameroon.
5. Global standards must align with local realities. While human rights progress is universal, implementation must respect national contexts to ensure legitimacy and accelerate meaningful change. The debate over the death penalty should not pit human rights advocates against those prioritizing security or judicial rigor.

A society that harmonizes the protection of life, justice, citizen safety, and the rule of law is a society that thrives. The challenge, Libii concluded, is not only to abolish the death penalty but to build institutions so strong that justice inspires trust without ever needing to resort to the irreversible.