04/11/2019
ZAMBIA MUST URGENTLY DO AWAY WITH THE DEATH SENTENCE AND LIVE UP TO THE STATUS OF A ‘CHRISTIAN NATION’.
It is hypocritical for Zambians to advocate for the maintenance of Zambia’s status as a Christian nation and intentionally turn a blind eye on constitutional and legislative provisions that legalise the killing of capital offenders by hanging.
Much as it is understood that capital offenders, by virtue of their acts dehumanise and render themselves unworthy to live among normal people, it still remains a fact that killing them by hanging is not the best way to punish such offenders.
Like it or not a death sentence is a gross violation of one’s human rights. It breaches two essential human rights namely the right to life and the right to live free from torture. These rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), to which Zambia is a proud signatory.
People on the death row undergo unimaginable dehumanisation at the hands of the state. They are denied contact with society including those imprisoned for other offences. They are subject to various forms of torture while awaiting ex*****on and the idea that they will die by hanging anytime the president wakes up from the wrong side of his bed is enough to depress them to death before they are hanged.
Death marks the end of life and punishing one by hanging gives no lesson to them. There is no correction in the casket. You end up punishing the offender’s relations who have nothing to do with the offence in question.
Abolish the practice of butchering capital offenders in this ‘Christian Nation’.
THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ON ANY CRIMINAL SHOULD BE A LIFE SENTENCE SERVED IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
BY: Vincent Mwakawele
