Zambian President Refuses to Hang Inmates

A lesson for us all

Zambian inmates get lifeline
AFP
Published:Aug 03, 2007
LUSAKA - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has commuted the death sentences of nearly 100 prisoners to life imprisonment because he does not support capital punishment, his legal aide said today.
Mwanawasa commuted the death sentences of 97 prisoners and released a further 823 from jail in an effort to reduce the pressure on the country’s prisons, aide Darlington Mwape said in a statement.
"This commutation is without prejudice to the right of the prisoners to appeal for further clemency," Mwape said.
Mwanawasa, who came to power in 2001, has refused to sign any execution warrants for prisoners on death row, saying he does not want to be a chief hangman.
Under Zambian law, executions can only be carried out with final approval from the head of state.
Mwanawasa said he had ordered the release of 823 prisoners on condition that they do not commit any offence during the period of their respective jail sentences.
"If they should commit any such offence, then they shall in addition to the sentences imposed for such offence serve the sentence which is unexpired," Mwape said.
Mwanawasa, a human rights lawyer, has openly condemned the prison conditions in his country and urged authorities to develop ways of releasing inmates for good behaviour or those who are too sick.