Leader of Opposition Nankhumwa against death penalty

Malawi’s Leader of Opposition Dr Kondwani Nankhumwa has said death penalty violates fundamental tenets of human rights such as right to life, undermines human dignity which is inherent to every human being and it subjects the convict to torture which is cruel and inhumane.

Nankhumwa was speaking at Parliament building in Lilongwe on Monday, October 31, 2022 when he hosted a delegation from the International Campaign Against Death Penalty (ICDP). In his remarks, Nankhumwa said that death penalty can not be an instrument for combating crime.

He said sometimes in seeking justice in the judiciary, miscarriage of justice does occur and and as a result, someone’s life is taken away and is irreparable.

Nankhumwa cited sections 16 and 19 of the constitution that gives every citizen a “right to life” and that section 19(3) prohibits torture of any kind or cruelty.The leader of delegation from ICDP, former Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorg, said he is happy with the response from Nankhumwa.

The delegation will also meet other stakeholders such as civil liberties groups, judiciary, Law Society of Malawi, academia and President Lazarus Chakwera.

Rose Chipumphula CHALIRA

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