[2024] AfCHPR 27

[2024] AfCHPR 27

The Court found that the Applicant's right to a fair trial was not violated, as the domestic courts addressed the evidentiary issues, the Applicant was represented by counsel, and the conviction was based on credible DNA and eyewitness evidence. However, the Court held that the mandatory imposition of the death...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] AfCHPR 27
Parties
Applicant: Lameck Bazil; Respondent: United Republic of Tanzania
Court
African Court on Human and Peoples Rights
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Application No. 027/2018
Procedural Posture
Human Rights Application / Judgment
Outcome
Application partly allowed; violation of right to life and dignity found; no violation of fair trial; reparations dismissed; operative orders issued.
Judges
Adjei J, Anukam J, Ben Achour J, Bensaoula J, Chizumila J, Gaswaga J, Mengue J, Ntsebeza J, Sacko VP, Tchikaya J
Legal Topics
Right to Life, Right to Dignity, Fair Trial, Mandatory Death Penalty, Method of Execution
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Criminal Law Right to Life Right to Dignity Fair Trial Mandatory Death Penalty Method of Execution

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Parties

Lameck Bazil

Applicant

United Republic of Tanzania

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Human Rights Application / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Applicant's right to a fair trial under Article 7 of the Charter was violated during domestic proceedings.
  2. 2 Whether the mandatory imposition of the death penalty violated the Applicant's right to life under Article 4 of the Charter.
  3. 3 Whether execution by hanging violated the Applicant's right to dignity under Article 5 of the Charter.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the Applicant's right to a fair trial was not violated, as the domestic courts addressed the evidentiary issues, the Applicant was represented by counsel, and the conviction was based on credible DNA and eyewitness evidence. However, the Court held that the mandatory imposition of the death penalty under Tanzanian law deprived the judicial officer of discretion and violated the Applicant's right to life under Article 4 of the Charter. Furthermore, the method of execution by hanging was found to be inherently degrading, violating the Applicant's right to dignity under Article 5 of the Charter. The Court ordered the Respondent State to repeal the mandatory death...

Court Disposition

Application partly allowed; violation of right to life and dignity found; no violation of fair trial; reparations dismissed; operative orders issued.

Orders

  • Respondent State to repeal mandatory death penalty provisions within six months of notification of this Judgment.
  • Respondent State to vacate Applicant's sentence, remove him from death-row, and rehear sentencing with judicial discretion within one year.