Zambia Joins Second Optional Protocol on the Abolition of the Death Penalty
On December 19, 2024, Zambia officially became a party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), abolishing the death penalty.
This milestone was achieved after Honorable Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, MP, deposited the country’s instrument of accession at the United Nations office in New York.
Hon. Kasune expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema and the New Dawn Government for their leadership in making this significant step towards protecting human rights.
“Thanks to President Hichilema’s guidance, Zambia is now officially a party to this crucial protocol,” she said. “This ensures that no Zambian citizen’s life will be threatened for asserting their civil and political rights.”
The event was witnessed by Mr. David Nanopoulos, Chief of the UN Treaty Section, who congratulated Zambia for becoming the 92nd country to ratify this important human rights treaty. He emphasized that the accession represents a vital advancement in global human rights efforts.
Hon. Kasune also called on all Zambians to recognize the importance of this moment, as the country’s accession to the protocol now allows Zambian citizens to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee in cases of death penalty threats.
This announcement comes a year after President Hichilema abolished the death penalty within Zambia’s penal code in December 2022 and further extended this commitment in December 2023 by amending the Defence (Amendment) Act to remove the death penalty for court-martialed individuals.
Zambia’s accession to the protocol solidifies the country’s stance against the death penalty, marking an important step towards a pro-life legacy for President Hichilema’s administration.
As Zambia embraces this pro-life approach, Hon. Kasune emphasized, “Christmas is about life, and I’m proud that as a country, we are ending this year on a pro-life note. This is a legacy that President Hichilema will leave behind.”
Zambia became a party to the ICCPR in 1984, and this latest development ensures the country’s continued commitment to upholding the civil rights of its citizens.
