Zimbabwe Senate Passes Death Penalty Abolition Bill

Zimbabwe's Parliament has passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, which now awaits President Emmerson Mnangagwa's signature to become law. The bill received unanimous support from both the ruling Zanu PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), marking a rare bipartisan effort. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi highlighted that the death penalty has failed to deter crime and praised the bill's introduction by an opposition member, Edwin Mushoriwa. This decision is seen as a significant step towards strengthening human rights in Zimbabwe, as the last execution took place in 2005. Human rights organization Amnesty International has urged for a swift signing of the bill, aligning with a global trend away from capital punishment. Zimbabwe will thus join an increasing number of countries abolishing the death penalty from their legal systems.