03/01/2023 (Agence Europe) – On 26 December the European Union welcomed the announcement by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema that he had approved a Penal Code Amendment Bill repealing all provisions imposing the death penalty. This “sends a powerful signal to countries in the region and around the world, contributing to the gradual abolition of the death penalty in Africa and beyond”, said the European External Action Service, recalling that “the European Union strongly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and will continue to work for its abolition worldwide”. The EU also welcomed the abolition, on the same occasion, of the offence of criminal defamation of the president. “This represents a clear signal of Zambia’s engagement on the path to consolidating democracy and protecting human rights in the country”. (AN)