Key stakeholders have unanimously agreed on a proposal to abolish death penalty in the country. 

The Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament is currently conducting public inquiries on the proposed abolition of the death penalty in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, one of the stakeholders, Malawi Legal Aid Bureau said death penalty is inhumane.

“The death penalty in itself in this country is risky business in the sense that there are so many problems which are touching the justice sector that you cannot for sure contain all,” said Masauko Chamkakala, the bureau’s Director General.

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) civil and political rights director, Peter Chisi said capital punishment needs to be abolished in the country and as such there is no need to call for referendum as lawmakers represent the voice of the people.

“The current consultations about Legal are enough,” Chisi said.

Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) executive director, Victor Mhango said death penalty is degrading type of punishment.

“As human right organisation, our stand is no to death penalty because we believe that that’s  cruel and inhumane,” Mhango said.

Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee chairperson Peter Dimba described the first day of the public inquiries as fruitful saying it shows that the majority are not in support of the law.

The Committee is expected to resume the inquiries on Friday in Mzuzu and then in Blantyre on May 20, 2022.