Zambia on Friday abolished the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation.
President Hakainde Hichilema tweeted that this was in fulfilment of the Promise to amend laws that inhibit democracy, human rights, good governance & basic freedoms.
Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, noted that the abolishment is a good and progressive move that shows the country’s commitment to protecting the right to life.
With this, Zambia becomes the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
He commended President Hichilema for quashing the offence of criminal defamation of the president, used until recently to muzzle free speech and unjustifiably limit freedom of expression in the country.
He further noted that Zambia’s decision to ban the death penalty should serve as an example to countries  the region that still use the death penalty and compel them to take immediate steps to end this cruel form of punishment and protect the right to life.
