Criminal Procedure Code at Gabon
Gabon’s criminal justice system is governed by the Code de Procédure Pénale, which has undergone significant reforms to modernize its procedures and align with international human rights standards.
📜 Historical Context
Initially, Gabon relied on the Code de Procédure Pénale established by Law No. 35/61 on June 5, 1961, and amended by Law No. 25/62 on November 21, 1962. This code was influenced by French legal traditions and structured the criminal process into two main phases: (CiNii Books - Code de procédure pénale, La procédure pénale au Gabon : en annexe : loi n° 036-2010 du 25 novembre 2010 portant code de procédure pénale - Francis Nkea Ndzigue - Librairie Mollat Bordeaux)
Phase préparatoire (Investigative Phase): Involves the identification of the offense, collection of evidence, and identification of the perpetrator.
Phase décisoire (Judicial Phase): Focuses on the examination and pronouncement of the sentence. (La procédure pénale au Gabon : en annexe : loi n° 036-2010 du 25 novembre 2010 portant code de procédure pénale - Francis Nkea Ndzigue - Librairie Mollat Bordeaux)
This framework was detailed in various legal texts, including the Criminal Code (Law No. 21/63) of May 31, 1963, which complemented the procedural code by defining substantive criminal offenses and penalties. (Criminal Code (Law N° 21/63 of May 31, 1963), Gabon, WIPO Lex)
⚖️ Modern Reforms
Recognizing the need for modernization, Gabon enacted Law No. 036/2010 on November 25, 2010, introducing a new Code de Procédure Pénale. This reform aimed to address evolving societal needs and enhance the protection of individual rights. Key provisions include: (Loi no 036/2010 du 25 novembre 2010 portant Code de procédure pénale.)
Right to Legal Counsel: Suspects have the right to consult with an attorney from the moment of detention.
Pretrial Detention: Judicial authorization is required for pretrial detention, ensuring a fair hearing.
Adversarial Trial Process: Emphasis on a trial where evidence is presented and contested in the presence of both parties.
These changes mark a shift towards a more accusatorial system, moving away from the previously inquisitorial approach.
📘 Accessing the Code
The full text of the 2010 Code de Procédure Pénale is available through various legal repositories:
WIPO Lex: https://wipolex-res.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/gd/gd009en.html
Lawcat Berkeley: https://lawcat.berkeley.edu/record/377013 (Loi no 036/2010 du 25 novembre 2010 portant Code de procédure pénale.)
These resources provide comprehensive access to the legal texts for those interested in the specifics of Gabon's criminal procedural laws.
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