HARARE, Zimbabwe (CHATNEWSTV) — The European Union has lauded Zimbabwe’s recent decision to abolish the death penalty, describing it as a significant step toward upholding human rights. The EU expressed its stance in a press statement released on Sunday by the EEAS Press Team.
“With this historic step, Zimbabwe joins the majority of countries in the world having eliminated capital punishment,” the statement read. Zimbabwe had maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since its last execution in 2005.
The EU called on Zimbabwe to take an additional step by removing the provision that permits the temporary reintroduction of the death penalty during a state of public emergency.
“The death penalty is incompatible with the inalienable right to life and a cruel and inhuman punishment, representing an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity,” the statement said. The EU emphasized the lack of compelling evidence that the death penalty deters crime and highlighted the irreversible consequences of miscarriages of justice.
The European Union reiterated its unwavering opposition to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances, vowing to continue efforts for its global abolition.