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Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea adopted a new criminal code in 2022, explicitly prohibiting terrorism for the first time. The new law also abolishes the death penalty in Equatorial Guinea. The Constitution, however, allows respect for fundamental human rights to be suspended when the State is confronted with terrorism.

Compliance with International Law:
Last updated: one year ago

The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law

In 2022, Law No. 4/2022 adopted a new Criminal Code for Equatorial Guinea that has defined and punished, for the first time, crimes related to terrorism.

The law had not been publicly released at the time of writing.

Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties

Equatorial Guinea is a State Party to most of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.

 

Adherence to Global Terrorism Treaties
Treaty Adherence
1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons State Party
1979 Hostage-Taking Convention State Party
1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention State Party
1999 Terrorist Financing Convention State Party
2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention State not party

 

Equatorial Guinea is also a State Party to the principal African Union (OAU) treaty on terrorism but is only a signatory to its 2004 Protocol.

Adherence to Regional Terrorism Treaties
Treaty Adherence
1999 Algiers Convention State Party
2004 Protocol to the Algiers Convention Signatory

Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences

The new Criminal Code lays down the penalties for a range of terrorist offences. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level

The National Police (Policía Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial) and the Gendarmería are the main law enforcement agencies for Equatorial Guinea. They do not have dedicated counterterrorism units, although in March 2022 they were tasked with stopping and arresting criminal gangs operating in the country.

According to Article 42 of the Constitution:

Due to the actions of armed gangs or terrorist elements, with the necessary intervention of the judiciary and adequate parliamentary control, the rights and guarantees recognized in the Constitution may be suspended individually or collectively for certain people, in accordance with the law.

Downloads

Constitution of Equatorial Guinea (original version in Spanish)

Ley Fundamental Guinea Ecuatorial