Capital punishment in Zambia explained

Capital punishment was a legal penalty in Zambia until 2022. Despite its former legality, the country had not carried out any execution since 1997. Zambia was considered "Abolitionist in Practice".^[1]

There were at least 9 new death sentences in Zambia in 2021. 257 people were on death row at the end of 2021.^[2]

On 25 May 2022, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the death penalty would soon be abolished in Zambia.^{[3] [4]}

On 23 December 2022, capital punishment was officially abolished, though it remains in some military statutes.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Abolitionist and retentionist countries (as of July 2018). 25 July 2022. 23 October 2018. Amnesty International.
2. Web site: Death sentences and executions 2021. 25 July 2022. 24 May 2022. Amnesty International.
3. Web site: Zambia, Central African Republic Move to Abolish Death Penalty. 25 July 2022. 31 May 2022. Death Penalty Information Center.
4. Web site: Rights office welcomes Zambia's pledge to abolish the death penalty. 25 July 2022. 27 May 2022. United Nations.
5. News: Zambia abolishes the death penalty. 24 December 2022. 23 December 2022. The Bangkok Post.