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President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned 943 inmates from various correctional facilities across the country to mark this year’s Africa Freedom Day.
Those pardoned include 922 ordinary inmates, 10 elderly inmates, 10 women with circumstantial children, and one long-term inmate whose 15-year sentence has been commuted to nine years.
Minister of Home Affairs, Jack Mwiimbu, confirmed the Presudential pardon during a media briefing held in Lusaka on Saturday at his office.
“This is in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution, which provides for Presidential pardon and substitution of severe punishments imposed on convicted persons,” Mwiimbu said.
He said the decision underscores President Hichioema’s commitment to restoring justice and rehabilitation of convicted individuals.
Mwiimbu stated that the pardoning of inmates has also contributed to decongesting prisons.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission has commended President Hichilema for pardoning a total of 943 inmates in exercise of his constitutional prerogative of mercy powers in commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day, which falls on May 25, every year.
Commission Spokesperson and Director for Education, Training and Advocacy Mweelwa Muleya, said the pardoning of 882 male and 61 female inmates, including 10 elderly women and 10 mothers, from various correctional facilities is a commendable gesture of compassion and respect for human rights, especially for the vulnerable individuals.
Muleya said incarcerated individuals were one of the most vulnerable groups of people due to deprivation of the right to liberty and living in extremely poor and inhumane conditions.
He noted this was caused by historical and systemic inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, and a pervasive punitive justice system.
“Therefore, the pardoning of the inmates by President Hichilema is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to upholding a paradigm shift from a punitive to restorative justice, which prioritises human rights and dignity,” Muleya said.
Muleya also called on the pardoned ex-inmates not to betray the confidence and trust shown in them by the people of Zambia through the Presidential Pardon by falling into recidivism or re-offending society.
“The pardoned individuals should appreciate the restoration of their right to liberty and dignity by leading exemplary lives of being law-abiding citizens and contributing to the overall well-being of society at large,” he said.
Muleya advised the ex-inmates to use the technical and vocation skills which they acquired during their rehabilitation and correctional training to rebuild their lives and that of their families and community development, including promotion of public safety and order.
He appealed to the family and community members to provide a conducive environment for successful re-integration of the Correctional Service Graduates by, among other measures, avoiding stigmatising and discriminating them but accepting them as reformed members of the human family.
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