Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission applauds government for scrapping the death penalty

By Tapiwa Svondo 

THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has applauded the Government of Zimbabwe for its landmark decision to abolish the death penalty.

The quasi-governmental body says the move will promote human rights and the sanctity of life in the country.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently signed into law the Death Penalty Abolition Act, which saw over 60 prisoners awaiting the hangman’s noose having their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

The last execution in the country was nearly two decades ago in 2005.

In a statement, the ZHRC noted that the government’s legislative development aligns Zimbabwe with global trends, which will eliminate the punishment and uphold modern human rights standards.

“The new Act eliminates the death penalty in Zimbabwe, ensuring no person shall be sentenced to death or executed.

“This legislative development aligns with modern human rights standards and reflects the global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.

“Zimbabwe now joins a growing number of nations that have recognised the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of their past actions.

“This development also reinforces Zimbabwe’s alignment with international human rights instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” said the commission.

ZHRC also commended the government for its efforts of re-sentencing offenders while also providing legal representation and opportunities for clemency for those affected.

“The ZHRC applauds the inclusive and compassionate approach taken in the transitional provisions of the Act, ensuring prisoners under sentence of death are afforded legal representation and the opportunity for clemency. This approach underlines the importance of rehabilitation over retribution in Zimbabwe’s justice system.

“The ZHRC highly commends the unity of purpose demonstrated by the political leadership across the political divide, notably, Honourable Edwin Mushoriwa who introduced the Private Member’s Bill in November 2023, Honourable Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who facilitated the passage, Members of Parliament as a whole, and His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa who signed the Bill into law,” ZHRC said.

Government was further called on to ratify outstanding international treaties such as the UN Convention Against Torture.

“This milestone achievement symbolises Zimbabwe’s commitment to upholding constitutional, regional and international human rights standards. In that vein the ZHRC therefore urges the Government of Zimbabwe to maintain the momentum and ratify outstanding treaties, particularly the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED),” ZHRC said.