New York / The Hague / Harare
[Update from 9 January 2025]
On 31 December 2024, the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, signed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill into law, officially making the country an abolitionist for all crimes. This landmark development prohibits national courts from imposing the capital punishment. Existing death sentences will be resentenced or commuted to jail time. Nevertheless, a provision allows the death penalty to be reinstated during “any state of public emergency declared in terms of section 113 of the Constitution.”
PGA warmly congratulates the Senate of Zimbabwe on the historic adoption of the Death Penalty Abolition bill, during the night of 11 December. This Bill, which had previously been passed by the National Assembly, now paves the way for Zimbabwe to officially abolish the death penalty once it receives presidential assent.
The country has been de facto abolitionist since its last execution in 2005. PGA acknowledges the leadership and tireless efforts of Zimbabwean parliamentarians, including PGA Members and most notably Ms. Dorcas Sibanda former parliamentarian, whose collective unwavering commitment has made this historic achievement possible.
This landmark development also comes at a pivotal time, just a few days before the United Nations General Assembly considers the resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty. Zimbabwean parliamentarians therefore sent a powerful message to the international community, about the importance of upholding human rights and strengthening justice systems.
This achievement is a testament to the dedication of parliamentarians and the collective voice of Zimbabweans who believe in justice and human rights. I urge other nations to follow and join Zimbabwe’s example in building a world free of capital punishment.
I also want to commend President Mnangagwa for his consistent leadership in opposing the death penalty. His personal experience underscores the profound injustice of capital punishment. I encourage him to once again reaffirm his commitment by signing this act into law without delay, thereby cementing Zimbabwe’s role as a leader in the global movement against the death penalty.
Honorable Kindness Paradza, Member of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe, PGA Member
As the country moves closer to the abolition, PGA calls on the government to also consider taking the next step by signing and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (ICCPR-OP2)
PGA opposes capital punishment in all circumstances. Parliamentarians have a crucial role to play in the movement to restrict the use of the death penalty and ultimately abolish it through drafting legislation, deliberating on national policies, and enlightening public opinion. Find out more about our Campaign on the Abolishment of the Death Penalty.
