Home / Crime and Justice / Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty, Becomes Regional Pioneer
Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty, Becomes Regional Pioneer
12 Aug
Summary
- Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment.
- Lebanon has not carried out an execution since January 2004.
- This move makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment.
In a significant legislative shift, Lebanon's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, positioning the nation as the first in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment. This progressive move, supported by a majority of MPs, will replace capital punishment with life imprisonment with hard labour. The legislation now awaits cabinet approval and presidential signing.
Lebanon has observed a de facto moratorium on executions since January 2004, although courts continued to impose death sentences. Rights groups estimate over 78 individuals remain on death row. This legislative victory is the culmination of nearly three decades of campaigning by civil society groups and lawyers.
The country's action contrasts with developments elsewhere in the Middle East, where Jordan has resumed executions and Israel has moved to expand circumstances for capital punishment. The UN human rights chief has expressed alarm over Iran's rising execution rates.
