adminChido Tomu
VERITAS yesterday hosted a media workshop aimed at educating young journalists on the death penalty.
The organisation is against the death penalty and wants it to be abolished, citing its violation of human rights, potential errors in the justice system and cruelty.
A short play, performed by Complete Arts Project, illustrated the devastating impact of the death penalty on an innocent person and their family.
The argument for keeping the death penalty is its potential deterrent effect on crime, but its opponents argue that it is ineffective and disproportionately affects marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
Zimbabwe currently has a de facto moratorium on the death penalty, but the courts continue to impose it.
The last execution in Zimbabwe was done in July 2005.
Death sentence prisoners are kept in solitary confinement and live in fear, unsure of their futures.
Lucia Masuka, from Amnesty International, said they are opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, regardless of the nature of the crime.
Zimbabwe is among 87 countries that still have the death penalty in their statutes.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter