Amnesty International Calls for End to Death Penalty: Upholding Human Rights

Thembelihle Mhlanga

In a firm stand against capital punishment, Amnesty International, a global champion of human rights, has reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to abolishing the death penalty.

The organization asserts that the death penalty represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Despite global debates, some governments continue to employ the death penalty as a punitive measure for crimes ranging from murder to drug-related offenses. However, Amnesty International maintains that the death penalty is never justifiable, under any circumstances.

Lucy Chivasa, Campaigns Officer of Amnesty International Zimbabwe told an online meeting facilitated by Community Podium that her organisation staunchly opposes the death penalty ”in all cases, without exception.” Regardless of whether the accused is a seasoned criminal or a first-time offender, Amnesty International asserts that no one should face execution. Over time, the international community has adopted various instruments explicitly prohibiting the use of the death penalty.

Chivasa highlighted research findings regarding the effectiveness of the death penalty in deterring heinous crimes. “There are still some countries that implement the death penalty, but it has not reduced the incidence of gruesome murders and other crimes punishable by death,” she argued.

Addressing the question of how African traditions relate to the death penalty, Chivasa noted that historically, African societies did not prescribe death as a punishment for any crime. Instead, in cases of murder, African communities traditionally sought restorative justice through compensation from the perpetrator’s family. Failure to comply could result in consequences such as Ngozi/Uzimu, which could lead to afflictions or even death within the family.

As Zimbabwe confronts its legal system and societal norms, the call for abolition grows louder. By embedding abolition in its constitution, a nation signals its commitment to human rights and its rejection of cruel and inhumane practices. The Zimbabwean government is warming up to abolition of the death penalty as earlier this month, cabinet reached consensus on the enactment of the Death Penalty Abolition bill.

As the world progresses toward a more compassionate and just society, Amnesty International’s unwavering advocacy shines as a beacon of hope.

Currently, Zimbabwe’s constitution reserves the death penalty for male individuals, excluding those under the age of twenty-one and those over the age of seventy. Presently, there are sixty-two individuals on death row.