ANGOLA: DEATH PENALTY PROHIBITED BY THE CONSTITUTION

January 21, 2010: the Angolan Parliament approved a new Constitution that explicitly prohibits the death penalty in article 59.
Article 60 officially prohibits torture: "No-one can be subjected to torture, forced labour, inhumane or degrading treatments or punishments." The Constitution states in Article 62 that amnesties granted by the judiciary are irreversible.
The new Constitution is composed of 244 articles. In Angola President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has held power for 30 years. Under the new Constitution, the leader of the party that wins a majority in parliamentary elections will become president.
The text will now be examined by the Constitutional Court. (Sources: AGIAFRO, Reuters, AngolaPress, 21/01/2010)