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Zambia has officially become a party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), aimed at abolishing the death penalty.
The milestone was achieved after Justice Minister, Princess Kasune, deposited the accession instruments at the office of the United Nations Secretary-General in New York on December 19, 2024.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Kasune revealed she was welcomed by David Nanopoulos, the UN Chief of the Treaty Section, during the submission process.
Kasune expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration for supporting Zambia’s accession to the protocol.
“Under the President’s leadership, my ministry tabled the Protocol before Parliament, which ratified it in November 2024. This paved the way for depositing the instrument of accession as required under Article 7(4) of the Protocol,” she said.
The Justice Minister underscored the significance of abolishing the death penalty, emphasising that all human rights are rooted in the right to life.
“Life is sacred, and no Zambian’s life should be threatened for asserting their civil and political rights,” Kasune stated.
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She reflected on President Hichilema’s past persecution, including a trumped-up treason charge that carried a potential death penalty.
“Thanks to the President’s leadership, Zambia is now affirming that life must never be at risk for exercising civil and political freedoms,” she added.
David Nanopoulos commended Zambia’s commitment to human rights, noting that the country is the 92nd state to accede to this critical international treaty.
“This step reinforces Zambia’s dedication to advancing human rights and setting an example for other nations,” Nanopoulos said.
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