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Zimbabwe Ends Death Penalty, Marking Significant Justice Reform

Thursday 02 January 2025 - 16:50
Zimbabwe Ends Death Penalty, Marking Significant Justice Reform

Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step in criminal justice reform by officially abolishing the death penalty, a move celebrated by human rights organizations including Amnesty International.

The landmark legislation, signed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, prohibits courts from imposing capital punishment. The law also commutes existing death sentences to prison terms, directly affecting 59 inmates who were on death row for crimes including murder, treason, and terrorism as of 2023.

However, the reform includes a notable caveat: capital punishment could be reinstated during states of emergency. This exception has prompted Amnesty International to advocate for complete abolition without conditional clauses.

This legislative change positions Zimbabwe among African nations moving away from capital punishment, marking a significant shift in the country's criminal justice system.


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