WE NEED A COMPLETE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY FROM THE CONSTITUTION AND SUBSTANTIVE ACTS
TODAY, 10TH OF OCTOMBER 2023, ZAMBIA THROUGH THE PRISONERS’ FUTURE FOUNDATION (PFF) IS EXCITED TO BE PART OF THIS YEAR’S COMMEMORATION OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY.
IN JUNE, 2023 THE ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND PRISONERS’ FUTURE FOUNDATION SERVING ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE WORLD COALITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY DID SUBMIT ON ZAMBIA’S UPR OUTCOMES. THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS WARMLY WELCOMED ZAMBIA’S ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY WHERE ON 23 DECEMBER 2022, ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA SIGNED INTO LAW THE PENAL CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL NO. 23 OF 2022 AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE NO 22 OF 2022, WHICH ABOLISHED DEATH PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED BY THE COURTS OF COMPETENT JURISDICTIONS
THIS MILESTONE IS A GREAT REALIZATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS PARTICULARLY THE RIGHT TO LIFE. THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT UNDER THE ABLE LEADERSHIP OF HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA UNDERSTANDS THE SANCTITY OF LIFE HENCE THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY.
IN ACTAULISING AND CONSOLIDATING EFFORTS IN THE COMPLETE ABOLISHMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY, PFF DEMANDS FOR THE FOLLOWING TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY ZAMBIAN AUTHORITIES:
i. COMMUTE TO LIFE SENTENCES OF THE 12 PERSONS SENTENCED TO DEATH CURRENTLY AT MUKOBEKO MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN KABWE AND ANY OF THOSE WHO WERE CHARGED, TRIED OR SENTENCED TO DEATH PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE PENAL CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL NO. 23 OF 2022, AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE NO. 22 OF 2022 THAT ABOLISHED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT STILL ENROUTE TO MUKOBEKO MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON.
ii. PUT NECESSARY STEPS TOWARDS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THROUGH A REFERENDUM TO ARTICLE 12, PART III
iii. AMEND THE DEFENSE ACT TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THE PENAL CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL NO. 23 OF 2022, TO REMOVE THE DEATH PENALTY FROM MILITARY LAW, WHICH STILL AUTHORIZES MILITARY COURT TO PRONOUNCE DEATH SENTENCE FOR OFFENCES WHICH ANY PERSON SUBJECT TO MILITARY LAW MAY BE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH
iv. TAKE SPECIFIC STEPS TO RATIFY THE SECOND OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (ICCPR) AIMING AT THE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY