Christians in Zambia have welcomed an announcement by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to abolish the death penalty in the country.

Hichilema said his government would work with Parliament and others to abolish the death penalty, which Zambia has maintained for capital offences since its independence in 1964 while the last executions were in 1997.

Father Gabriel Mapulanga, director of the Catholic charitable agency’s Zambia programs, said that abolishing the death penalty is a visible manifestation of heightened moral awareness.

He said, “The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 405, says: ‘The church sees as a sign of hope a growing public opinion to the death penalty, even when such a penalty is seen as a kind of legitimate defence on the part of society,’ criminals should still be given a chance to reform.”

Bishop David Masupa, president of the Independent Churches of Zambia, said his organization welcomed the government’s decision because it was in line with God’s teachings and conformity with Christian values.

“Only God can take a life because he created it, and our country being a Christian nation, we have to uphold that,” said Bishop Masupa.

In welcoming the decision, the U.N. human rights office said Zambia’s plan to abolish the death penalty added to the growing global chorus against the practice.

“Use of the death penalty is incompatible with fundamental human rights and dignity,” said Seif Magango, spokesman for the U.N. office.

Magango said the office “stands ready to provide technical assistance and cooperation to the Zambian authorities to make this promise a reality.”

While Zambia has maintained a welcome ban on the death penalty, its formal abolition in law would be a major step forward for human rights in the country, adding to the growing consensus worldwide for the universal abolition of the death penalty.

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