The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for signing the Death Penalty Abolition Bill into law.
The ZHRC said that the move is an important step in Zimbabwe’s effort to respect and protect human life.
According to the ZHRC, the abolition of the death penalty aligns with Section 48 of the Constitution, which safeguards the right to life.
It also supports sections 51 and 53, which ensure the rights to dignity and freedom from torture, and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. It said:
<blockquote>
The new Act eliminates the death penalty in Zimbabwe, ensuring no person shall be sentenced to death or executed.
This legislative development aligns with modern human rights standards and reflects the global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Zimbabwe now joins a growing number of nations that have recognised the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of their past actions…
The abolition of the death penalty is a monumental achievement for human rights in Zimbabwe. It resonates with the fundamental principles of equality, justice and mercy, which are cornerstones of a democratic society.
This development also reinforces Zimbabwe’s alignment with international human rights instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
</blockquote>
The Death Penalty Abolition Act has several important parts:
<ul>
<li>Courts can no longer give the death penalty for any crime.</li>
<li>Death sentences will be replaced with other suitable punishments.</li>
<li>Prisoners currently on death row will be re-sentenced, taking into account their individual situations, such as how long they have been in prison and their health conditions.</li>
</ul>
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has also urged the government to agree to international treaties, especially:
<ul>
<li>The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)</li>
<li>The UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission praised President Mnangagwa for banning the death penalty. This decision respects human life and aligns with the constitution. Now, no one in Zimbabwe can be sentenced to death or executed. The country is following modern human rights rules. Courts will find new penalties for crimes instead of death. Prisoners on death row will get new sentences based on their situations. The ZHRC wants Zimbabwe to support international treaties against torture and enforced disappearances. This move is a big step for human rights in Zimbabwe and shows respect for all people, regardless of their past.

Human Rights Commission Commends Mnangagwa For Abolishing Death Penalty

Having sexual intercourse with persons below the age of 18 is now a criminal offence in Zimbabwe after President Mnangagwa assented to the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Act, 2024.
The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya made the announcement under General Notice 1441A of 2024 in an Extraordinary Government Gazette on Tuesday.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana confirmed the gazetting of the new law on his X page. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The Criminals Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons Act 2024 (Number 1) has been consented to by the President.
It is a criminal act to have sex with persons under the age of 18 years. It is not an acceptable Defence that they consented. It is a serious offence to infect a child with an STI.
</blockquote>
Writing for <a href="https://newzwire.live/finally-the-long-delayed-law-on-age-of-consent-and-child-protection-is-signed/">newZWire</a>, Mike Murenzvi asserted that the process began with a former child bride, Diana Eunice Kawenda. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The process began with a former child bride, Diana Eunice Kawenda, who took up the mantle to fight for the rights of other young children to accord them the same rights and protections that were bestowed upon children under the age of 16 years.
This was back in 2020 in a matter that was settled by the Constitutional Court on 24 May 2022 by striking down the unconstitutional sections of the Criminal Law Code.
The Government and Parliament were given 12 months to go and enact a substantive law that would bring the Criminal Law Code in line with the Constitution in this respect. They did not.
From 24 May 2023 to 12 January 2024, there were no protections from sexual exploitation available to children aged 13 to 18 years of age in cases where they “consented” to sexual acts with an adult.
On 12 January 2024, after public outcry, the President promulgated a temporary law to reinstate those protections while Parliament went through the lawmaking process.
These regulations were valid for six months and expired on 10 July 2024 and the protections fell away. By that effect, the age of consent reverted to the default 13 years of age.
On 9 July 2024, the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill was passed by all houses of Parliament.
For the 71 days from that date until 18 September 2024, the country waited with bated breath for the enactment of this crucial law.
71 additional days within which our laws allowed for the exploitation of children. 71 days in which Zimbabwe was a haven for paedophiles.
Now the nation can breathe a sigh of relief as our children now have safety and recourse within the law.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In Zimbabwe, it is now illegal to have sex with anyone under 18. This law was passed after a former child bride fought for children's rights. The law was supposed to be passed earlier, but it took time. Finally, the law was passed in September, protecting children from exploitation. The President signed the bill, making it a crime to have sex with minors under 18. This is to keep children safe and punish those who harm them.

Capital Punishment Latest News

Latest Jobs