Zambia becomes party to the Second Optional Protocol to the IICCPR

Zambia has become party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on the Abolition of the Death Penalty.

This was after Justice Minister, Princess Kasune, deposited the instruments at the office of the United Nations Secretary General in New York, United States of America. Ms. Kasune was received by the United Nations Chief of the Treaty Section, David Nanopoulos.

She called on all Zambians to take interest in what Zambia has done today.

Speaking after receiving the instrument of accession, Mr. Nanopoulos said that Zambia is the 92nd country to fulfill the provision of the human rights treaty.

Zambia has acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR without any reservations.

By this accession, an individual Zambian citizen now has the right to approach the Human Rights Committee of the UN in a case where one believes their civil and political rights are being curtailed by the death penalty threat.

President Hichilema abolished the death penalty by amending the penal code on December 23rd, 2022.

This is according to Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations in New York, USA, Moses Jere.