Zimbabwe gets praise on death penalty stance

Zimbabwe has voted in favour of a United Nations (UN) resolution calling for the global abolition of the death penalty, further demonstrating the country's commitment to limiting the use of capital punishment. The vote, which took place during the UN General Assembly's Third Committee session, saw the draft resolution receive overwhelming support, with 131 votes in favour, 36 against, and 21 abstentions.

Amnesty International has praised Zimbabwe's decision, noting that the vote reflects the country's ongoing efforts to limit the use of the death penalty and its alignment with international human rights standards. In a statement, the global human rights group emphasized Zimbabwe's progress in restricting the death penalty, including an unofficial moratorium on executions, frequent commutations of death sentences to life imprisonment by the president, and the introduction of a bill aimed at abolishing capital punishment.

"Zimbabwe's vote demonstrates its commitment to abolishing capital punishment, as outlined in Article 6.2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," Amnesty International said in a report. "Zimbabwe has made significant strides, including the cessation of executions since 2005, despite the continued imposition of death sentences."

The country's constitution still maintains the death penalty, but it excludes women, men under the age of 21, and men over the age of 70 from facing execution. Currently, Zimbabwe has 62 inmates on death row, according to official figures.

In response to growing calls for abolition, legal think-tank Veritas has proposed a model law for the retrial of all death row inmates, marking a significant step in Zimbabwe's ongoing debate over the death penalty. Veritas' push for reform aligns with broader regional and global trends, with many nations increasingly moving toward abolition.

Amnesty International has urged Zimbabwean authorities to permanently dismantle its execution machinery, joining the ranks of over 170 countries that have either abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium on executions in law or practice.

By voting in favour of the UN resolution, Zimbabwe is now poised to join the growing number of southern African nations that have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. These countries include Angola, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zambia.

The call for abolition has gained significant momentum, with global support building for a worldwide shift away from the death penalty, which remains controversial due to its irreversible nature and its potential for wrongful convictions.

As Zimbabwe continues to make strides toward limiting capital punishment, the next step may be the full abolition of the death penalty, reflecting the nation's increasing commitment to upholding human rights and international norms.