Zimbabwe's Senate Approves Bill to Abolish Death Penalty Amidst President's Opposition to Capital Punishment

Zimbabwe's Senate has taken a significant step by approving a bill to eliminate the death penalty, a law that hasn't been enforced in nearly two decades. The bill, passed by senators recently, awaits the president's signature to become law. Zimbabwe last executed someone in 2005, partly due to the absence of a willing executioner.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has led Zimbabwe since 2017, has openly opposed capital punishment. He once faced a death sentence himself, later commuted to a decade in prison for his role in the independence war during the 1960s. Mnangagwa has used presidential powers to convert death sentences to life imprisonment.

Amnesty International's Call for Action

Amnesty International, an organisation campaigning against capital punishment, has urged President Mnangagwa to promptly sign the bill into law and commute existing death sentences. Currently, over 60 inmates are on death row in Zimbabwe. Globally, about three-quarters of countries have abolished the death penalty.

In Africa, Zimbabwe is among more than a dozen nations where the death penalty remains legal without an official moratorium. Amnesty International noted that in 2023, there were 1,153 known executions worldwide, an increase from 883 in 2022. However, the number of countries conducting executions dropped from 20 to 16.

Global Execution Statistics

Amnesty International's report highlights that China is considered the "world's lead executioner," with thousands believed executed annually. Iran and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly 90% of all recorded executions in 2023. The United States saw an increase from 18 executions in 2022 to 24 in 2023.

Last year, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the US had the highest execution numbers. In Africa, Zimbabwe joins Kenya, Liberia, and Ghana as countries making strides towards abolishing capital punishment. Amnesty International continues to advocate for global abolition of the death penalty.

The move by Zimbabwe's Senate reflects a growing trend towards ending capital punishment worldwide. If President Mnangagwa signs the bill into law, it will mark a significant shift in Zimbabwe's legal landscape and align with international human rights standards.