The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has commended President Edgar Lungu for commuting sentences of 246 death row inmates to life imprisonment.
HRC Principal Information Officer, Simon Mulumbi says the gesture is commendable as it will help decongest Mukobeko maximum security correctional facility and impact positively on the right to health and right to life of the inmates.
Mr Mulumbi explained that before the committal the number of the intimates was in excess of 400 thereby posing great risk on inmates especially with the second wave of COVID-19.
”Overcrowding is a challenge that correctional facilities are facing which has made it difficult for inmates to social distance thus making them prone to COVID-19 and other diseases,” he added.