Zomba Central Prison Hosts World Commemoration Day Against Death Penalty Under the Theme ‘Children Unseen victims’

On October 9, 2019 Zomba Central Prison (ZCP) hosted the first ever commemoration world day against death penalty in the history of Malawi prison service (MPS) under the theme Children, Unseen victims.

The theme shifted the attention from the convict alone, but extended to reflecting on the plight of the children of the convicts on the death-row. It delved the trauma they’re subjected to in the absence of the parent who is in prison waiting for execution.

The EU Deputy Ambassodor, Aurelie Valtat said that EU is advocating anti-death penalty after realizing that this kind of punishment shutters someone`s life, the families and communities from where these convicts come from suffer as the breadwinner faces death penalty among other problems.

On the other hand, Chief Commissioner for prisons, Madam Wandika Phiri expressed her profound gratitude for having the opportunity to host the occasion.

She said MPS will remain royal to its mandate which is to house, detain and rehabilitate people committed to prisons.

On the day, inmates at ZCP were given assorted items such as bread, sugar and blankets among other things.

Other dignatories included Deputy British High Commissioner Matthews Halksworth, and other institutions that advocate for the abolition of death penalty such as Episcopal Conference of Malawi, the Community of Saint Egidio, and CHRR.

Every year in October, the world commemorates the day of anti-death penalty. This year`s function was organized with financial support from EU.