When President Hakainde Hichilema announced in May 2022 that Zambia would soon abolish the death penalty, few took him seriously. Not only had he said little about it before, but he had shown a lack of urgency in honouring his election pledges to repeal repressive laws that undermine Zambians’ human rights and fundamental freedoms. Many were therefore caught by surprise on 23 December, when he made the pledge a reality, deservedly attracting plaudits from rights groups.
The death penalty was introduced in colonial Northern Rhodesia in 1931 as the punishment for anyone convicted of murder, treason or aggravated robbery. It was given effect by the criminal procedure code (CPC) two years later, backed by article 12 of the country’s bill of rights, unchanged since 1963. Since independence from Britain in 1964, Zambia has executed 72 people, with 380 currently on death row. The country’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, sanctioned 64 executions, while his successor Frederick Chiluba approved eight.
