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Zimbabwe abolishes capital punishment

Effective January 1st, Zimbabwe has done away with the death penalty, meaning that courts can no longer impose capital punishment on criminals. Instead, only imprisonment is an available sentence.

Zimbabwe abolishes capital punishment
Zimbabwe abolishes capital punishment

Zimbabwe abolishes capital punishment

Zimbabwe, a country in Africa with a population of approximately 12 million, is slightly larger than Germany, which has an estimated population of 80 million. Despite its smaller size, Zimbabwe's legal system shares similarities with many other countries, including the institution of courts where disputes are resolved and judgments are made by knowledgeable judges and magistrates.

In Zimbabwe, courts decide on disputes and determine whether someone has broken the law. However, unlike some countries, the death penalty has not been carried out for 20 years. Criminals sentenced to death in Zimbabwe have spent long periods in prison instead of being executed. This moratorium on the death penalty is in line with the belief that every person, according to Amnesty International, has the right to life.

The death penalty, when imposed, means the convicted person is executed, often by shooting, hanging, or lethal injection. This practice is still legal in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the USA, China, India, and Iran. Besides Zimbabwe, countries that have officially applied the death penalty in the last 20 years include the United States (in some states), China, Iran, Singapore, Japan, and several others across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Amnesty International, an organization that advocates for human rights, supports Zimbabwe's move away from the death penalty. The organization believes that the practice is inhumane and violates the fundamental right to life. This support is not unique to Zimbabwe, as Amnesty International has been a vocal advocate against the death penalty worldwide.

Interestingly, the death penalty is not imposed in Germany. This country, which has a much larger population than Zimbabwe, has chosen to uphold the right to life for all its citizens. As the world continues to grapple with questions of justice and human rights, the debate over the death penalty remains a contentious issue.

In conclusion, Zimbabwe's decision to halt the execution of death sentences for 20 years is a significant step towards upholding the right to life. While the practice of the death penalty still exists in many countries, organizations like Amnesty International continue to advocate for its abolition. As we move forward, it is essential to consider the moral and ethical implications of the death penalty and strive for a world where every person's right to life is respected and protected.

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