Lebanon abolishes death penalty in landmark parliament vote
Summary
Lebanon’s parliament voted to end the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment combined with hard labor. This makes Lebanon the first Arab country to officially abolish capital punishment. The decision was supported by most members except for Hezbollah.Key Facts
- Lebanon has not carried out executions since 2004, despite some death sentences being given but later stopped or changed.
- The new punishment is life imprisonment with “aggravated hard labor,” though details on how hard labor will be applied are unclear.
- Lebanon’s parliament has 128 members; most voted to abolish the death penalty except Hezbollah’s group.
- The change is seen as a major step by the Justice Minister and human rights organizations.
- Lebanon is also debating a general amnesty law that could reduce or cancel some prison sentences.
- Families of victims of militant attacks have protested, wanting death sentences instead of shorter punishments.
- Different religious courts in Lebanon still allow the death penalty in their own legal systems.
- Hezbollah and religious leaders have not made official statements about the vote yet.
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