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EU praises Zambia for abolishing death penalty: ‘A cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment’

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The European Union (EU) had praised Zambia for abolishing the death penalty, which they described as a “cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.”

The law was signed by the Zambia’s president, Hakainde Hichilema last Friday. The country has not conducted any executions since 1997.

The European External Action Service said that “this achievement sends a powerful signal to countries in the region and the world and contributes to the gradual abolition of the death penalty in Africa and beyond,” adding that “The EU is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and will continue to work for its abolition worldwide.”

Zambia also moved to abolish the crime of “defamation” of the president.

Amnesty International also applauded Zambia’s decision, with the group’s director for eastern and southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, saying Saturday that it was “a good and progressive step that shows the country’s commitment to protecting the right to life.”

“We also applaud Hichilema for ending the offense of defamation of the president, used until recently to limit freedom of expression and unjustifiably curtail freedom of speech in the country,” Chagutah said, noting that Zambia is now the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: AU.INT

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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