Harare, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, marking a historic shift in the country’s judicial system. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, himself a former death row inmate, approved the legislation this week after it successfully passed through Parliament.
This landmark decision spares about 60 prisoners currently on death row, reaffirming Zimbabwe’s commitment to human rights and setting a precedent for the region.
A Long-Awaited Move
Zimbabwe has not carried out an execution since 2005, largely because of a lack of state executioners. The abolition of the death penalty had been anticipated, as the country moved progressively away from capital punishment in practice.
Amnesty International lauded the move as “a beacon of hope for the abolitionist movement in the region,” citing the decision as a milestone for human rights in Africa.
President Mnangagwa’s Personal Connection
President Mnangagwa has long been an outspoken critic of the death penalty. His opposition is deeply personal: during Zimbabwe’s war of independence in the 1960s, he was sentenced to death for blowing up a train. That sentence was later commuted to 10 years in prison.
Under his leadership since 2017, Mnangagwa has repeatedly used presidential amnesties to commute death sentences to life imprisonment, signaling his commitment to phasing out capital punishment.
“This move is not just about sparing lives; it is about showing that our justice system values humanity and dignity,” Mnangagwa said.
Zimbabwe’s Regional Impact
Zimbabwe’s decision makes it the 25th African country to fully abolish the death penalty, joining nations like South Africa, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. Neighboring countries such as Kenya, Liberia, and Ghana have made strides toward abolition but are yet to enshrine it in law.
Globally, 113 countries have abolished the death penalty, according to Amnesty International. However, many nations still retain it, and some, like Iran and Saudi Arabia, continue to carry out the majority of the world’s executions.
Global Trends in Capital Punishment
Amnesty International recorded 1,153 known executions globally in 2023, a significant increase from 883 in 2022. Iran and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly 90% of these executions, with the remaining cases spread across countries such as Somalia and the United States.
The rights group highlighted the secrecy surrounding executions in countries like China, Vietnam, and North Korea, which likely skews global figures.
A New Era for Zimbabwe
This abolition is a watershed moment for Zimbabwe, reflecting the country’s efforts to align with international human rights standards. The decision not only spares lives but also removes the shadow of an archaic punishment that has long divided opinion.
Human rights advocates hope this development will inspire other African countries to follow suit, moving closer to a future where capital punishment is universally abolished.
