Sierra Leone Abolishes Death Sentencing

Sierra Leone has formally abolished the death penalty after President Julius Maada Bio signed into law a new measure outlawing capital punishment that was agreed by MPs in July.<br />The president says as a nation, they have exorcised horrors of a cruel past while affirming their belief in the sanctity of life.<br />Rights group Amnesty International says that last year 39 death sentences were handed down.<br />Amnesty says Death sentences have often been commuted, but by the end of last year, 94 people were still on death row.