Zimbabwe Makes Historic Move: President Mnangagwa Ends Death Penalty with New Law
The abolition of capital punishment is hailed as a significant victory for human dignity and rights.
- President Mnangagwa signs law to end the death penalty in Zimbabwe
- Those on death row will have their sentences reviewed
- The move is seen as a significant step for human rights
In a landmark decision, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law the abolition of the death penalty, marking an immediate end to the practice in the country.
This significant step follows a parliamentary vote earlier this month to eliminate capital punishment.
Amnesty International has praised the move, calling it a “beacon of hope” for the abolitionist movement across southern Africa.
However, they expressed concern that the death penalty could potentially be reinstated during a state of emergency.
While Zimbabwe has not executed anyone since 2005, there were still around 60 individuals on death row as of the end of 2023. These prisoners will now have their sentences revisited, with judges instructed to take into account the nature of their crime, time served, and personal circumstances.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi described the abolition as a “commitment to justice and humanity,” noting its importance beyond legal reform. The death penalty, which was introduced during British colonial rule, has been a point of contention for Mnangagwa, who himself was sentenced to death in the 1960s, only for his sentence to be reduced to 10 years in prison.
This milestone makes Zimbabwe the latest country to join the global movement against capital punishment, with 113 nations having fully abolished it. While the death penalty remains in effect in several countries, including China, Iran, and the United States, Zimbabwe’s decision is seen as a victory for human rights.
