SIERRA LEONE AGAINST UNIVERSAL MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY

April 5, 2011: Amnesty International was "gravely concerned that Sierra Leone's name was included in a letter arguing against the abolition of the death penalty," said Brima Sheriff, director of Amnesty's Sierra Leone chapter, referring to a letter sent to the UN General Assembly.
Attorney-General and Justice Minister Franklyn Kargbo said that "the abolition of the death penalty is on the government's legislative agenda. It will be given serious and positive consideration in due course."
Sierra Leone's 1991 constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery, murder, treason and mutiny.
Prison records showed no executions have been carried out since 1998 when 24 military officers were killed by firing squad for a 1997 coup attempt. (Sources: Agence France Presse, 05/04/2011)