This report addresses Zimbabwe’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with respect to the death penalty, supplementing the report that the coauthors submitted in 2020 at the List of Issues Prior to Reporting stage. In December 2024, Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty.

This report examines the current state of the death penalty in Zimbabwe, including (1) recently adopted legislation to abolish the death penalty; (2) access to justice and the right to a fair trial for people accused of crimes; and (3) detention conditions.

This report recommends that Zimbabwe ratify the Second Optional Protocol, commute all existing death sentences, enhance access to justice and respect for fair trial rights, and improve detention conditions.