Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, marking a significant milestone in the country’s legal and human rights history. The new legislation, published in the Official Gazette on December 31, prohibits courts from imposing capital punishment and commutes all existing death sentences to prison terms.
Although Zimbabwe had observed a de facto moratorium on executions since 2005, courts continued to issue death sentences for serious offenses such as murder, treason, and terrorism. This new law fully outlaws capital punishment, making Zimbabwe the latest African nation to take this decisive step toward human rights reform.
However, the legislation contains a controversial provision allowing for the reintroduction of the death penalty during a state of emergency. This clause has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which hailed the abolition as a “historic moment” but urged Zimbabwean authorities to eliminate the exception entirely.
“We urge the government to fully abolish the death penalty without exceptions,” Amnesty said in a statement, emphasizing that the clause undermines the progress made in safeguarding the right to life.
As of late 2023, 59 inmates remained on death row in Zimbabwe. These individuals will now have their sentences commuted to prison terms, though the specific durations of these new sentences have yet to be disclosed.
The abolition reflects a broader global trend toward eliminating the death penalty, aligning Zimbabwe with more than 120 countries that have fully abolished capital punishment.
Despite the progress, the state of emergency clause raises questions about the permanence of this reform. Critics argue that any potential reinstatement of capital punishment could reverse years of human rights advancements.
The decision has been widely welcomed by human rights advocates, who see it as a critical step in fostering justice and dignity. For Zimbabwe, this move also aligns with efforts to modernize its legal framework and position itself as a leader in human rights in Africa.