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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 31822, member: 636"] Zimbabwe has changed its law about punishing people who commit very serious crimes. The president signed a new law that stops courts from giving people the death penalty. This means that people who were going to be executed will have their punishments changed. About sixty people were on death row before the law changed. The courts will look at each person's story carefully. They will think about how long these people have been in prison and what happened in their cases. The new law means people who commit murder will go to prison for 20 years or longer instead of being killed. Zimbabwe has a long history with the death penalty. The country first started using this punishment when the British ruled the land many years ago. The last time someone was executed was in 2005. Two famous prisoners named Stephen Chidhumo and Edgar Masendeke were hanged after escaping from a big prison. The new law says no judge can give someone a death sentence anymore. Instead, judges must choose a different punishment that fits the crime. The Supreme Court will look at old cases and change death sentences to other types of prison time. This means people who were waiting to be executed will have their cases reviewed. The government wants to make the justice system more fair. They believe killing people is not the right way to punish crimes. The new law shows that Zimbabwe wants to protect human rights and give people chances to change their lives. Prisoners' cases will be looked at carefully to decide what is the fairest punishment. Most of the people on death row will have their sentences changed to long prison terms. Twenty prisoners will have their cases reviewed this month. The courts will look at each person's situation and decide how much time they should spend in prison. They want to make sure the punishment matches the crime. The law means that the government can no longer kill people as a punishment. Judges must find other ways to deal with serious crimes. This change is a big step for Zimbabwe. It shows that the country wants to be more modern and cares about human rights. The new law helps people who are waiting to be executed. It gives them hope that they might have another chance. The courts will work hard to make sure each person is treated fairly. Zimbabwe is trying to create a justice system that helps people learn from their mistakes. [/QUOTE]

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