Burkina Faso has become the latest country to abolished the death penalty.
The country’s parliament on Thursday adopted a new penal code which abolished execution as a form of capital punishment.
Justice Minister Rene Bagoro said the revised documents would clear the way for “more credible, equitable, accessible and effective justice in the application of criminal law”, Associated Press reports.
Local media report this move will pave the way for the extradition of Francois Compaore – the younger brother of former Burkina Faso president Blaise Compaore – from France.
Blaise Compaore was ousted from power in a popular uprising in 2014.
Francois fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast after the change of guard.
He was taken into custody by French authorities last year in connection with the murder of Nobert Zongo, an investigative journalist.
France does not normally extradite people to countries where the death penalty remains in force.
The top French appeals court is due to deliver a verdict on Friday on whether Compaore should be extradited to his country.
