The European Union congratulates Zambia on becoming the 92nd State party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on the abolition of the death penalty. We welcome the entry into force of the Protocol on 19 March 2025, concluding the process towards irrevocable abolition of the death penalty for all crimes.
Accession to this important treaty confirms Zambia’s commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the fundamental right to life. With this milestone, Zambia sets an example to reinforce the strong abolitionist trend, and the growing worldwide support for the abolition of the death penalty.
More than two-thirds of countries in the world have today abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. As a matter of principle, the European Union is strongly opposed to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity. The European Union will continue to work for its universal abolition in the few countries that still apply it.