Zambia has abolished the death penalty and repealed a law that prohibits citizens from slandering the head of state, in line with the promises of Zambian President Hakinde Hichilema.
On Friday evening, the president signed an executive order repealing two colonial-era laws, prompting positive responses from human rights groups and activists.
According to a statement by Presidential spokesman Anthony Bwalya, Hichilema “endorsed the Penal Code, its 2022 version, which abolishes the death penalty and defamation of the president, which have been in the texts of Zambia’s laws since independence. period.”
Human rights activist Prebner Changala saw this decision as an important step towards true democracy.
He said it was a necessary prop to move towards “the repeal of colonial laws that are inconsistent with the democratic system in the country,” urging the president to go further and consider “laws on public safety, access to information, and other colonial laws.”
Carolyn Katotoboi, director of the Center for Political Dialogue, said the president is keeping his campaign promise.
“We are pleased that this repressive law has finally been repealed,” she said in a statement. “Citizens will be able to freely express their opinions without fear of persecution, as was the case in the past.”
The democratic transition that began with the election of Hakainde Hichilema as president in August 2021, on the basis of promises to eradicate corruption and revive the economy, has revived hopes on the African continent and abroad.
Source: agencies