Harare,  (New Ziana)-The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday commended Zimbabwe for abolishing the death penalty.

The commendation came during an ongoing UNHRC meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where Zimbabwean Attorney General Virginia Mabiza updated the body on the successful abolition of the death penalty.

The UNHRC is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system, responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally and addressing human rights violations by making recommendations

In a statement from Geneva, Johane Gandiwa, secretary in the AG’s Office said Mabiza further informed the UNHRC that between 1980 and 2005, at least 105 convicted offenders were executed but since then, no executions have been carried out in Zimbabwe.

“Following Attorney General Mabiza’s presentation, several countries praised Zimbabwe for its inspirational journey. His Excellency Mr Maxime Prevot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, speaking on behalf of the core group on the death penalty (Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Mongolia, Republic of Moldova, and Switzerland), welcomed Zimbabwe’s recent decision to abolish the death penalty and urged other states to follow suit, or, pending its abolition, to impose a moratorium on its use,” said Gandiwa, Switzerland also welcomed the presence of Mabiza at the UNHRC and congratulated the country for taking a major step in the protection of human rights by abolishing the death penalty, Gandiwa added.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, noted that 113 countries have now completely abolished the death penalty and commended Zimbabwe for joining 26 other African countries in taking the step. President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Death Penalty Abolition Act into law in December last year.

New Ziana