2009-06-24 20:21:01 -

LOME, Togo (AP) - Lawmakers in Togo have unanimously voted to abolish the death penalty in the African country.
The 81-member passed the law late Tuesday. President Faure Gnassingbe must sign it into law. He is known to support the legislation and his signature is considered a formality.
Togo has not executed a prisoner by capital punishment since 1978.

Visiting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero welcomed the move, saying Togo «has broken new ground in its restoration of democracy and protection of human rights.