Zimbabwe Parliament to Hold Public Hearings on Abolishing Death Penalty

The Parliament of Zimbabwe is set to start public hearings on Monday to consider abolishing the death penalty. The move follows a motion introduced by Member of Parliament Edwin Mushoriwa last year and the Cabinet's agreement in February 2024 to abolish capital punishment for murder offenses.

Zimbabwe has been under a de facto moratorium on executions since 2005, with 62 prisoners currently on death row. The country's Constitution upholds the death sentence but excludes women, men under 21, and men over 70 from being sentenced to death.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has publicly denounced the death penalty, having reportedly avoided it during the colonial era. Legal think-tank Veritas has proposed the retrial of all inmates sentenced to death, while Amnesty International has advocated for the abolition of capital punishment.

Why this matters: If the Death Penalty Abolition Bill is approved, Zimbabwe will join other southern African countries that have abolished the death penalty. The public hearings provide an opportunity for citizens, legal experts, and civil society organizations to express their views on this significant issue.

The hearings, conducted by two teams from May 6-10, 2024, will gather input from stakeholders to guide potential legislative changes. Citizens, legal experts, and civil society organizations are invited to express their views on the death penalty through oral presentations or written submissions addressed to the Clerk of Parliament.

Globally, over 85 nations have abolished the death penalty since 1976, with Portugal being the first. The debate continues, as opponents argue it is not an effective deterrent, while supporters claim it deters violent offenders. With 62 prisoners currently on death row and no executions carried out since 2005, the upcoming public hearings mark a critical step in Zimbabwe's consideration of abolishing capital punishment.

Key Takeaways

• Zimbabwe to hold public hearings on abolishing death penalty
• Country has de facto moratorium on executions since 2005, 62 on death row
• President Mnangagwa and legal experts support abolition of capital punishment
• Hearings to gather input from stakeholders, guide potential legislative changes
• Over 85 nations have abolished death penalty since 1976, debate continues