Lebanese parliament approves abolition of death penalty
The Lebanese parliament approved the abolition of the death penalty on Tuesday, making it the first Middle East country to end capital punishment. It enacts into law a practice that had effectively been in place for 22 years, with a moratorium since January 2004. “I’m very honoured Lebanon has passed this law and Lebanon has retrieved its pioneering role as the protector of fundamental rights,”…
On Tuesday, the Lebanese parliament approved the abolition of the death penalty, marking the first such action in the Middle East. This follows a 22-year moratorium on capital punishment, introduced in January 2004. Justice Minister Adel Nassar expressed pride in Lebanon's new pioneering role in safeguarding fundamental rights. The parliament, chaired by powerful speaker Nabih Berri, was the first item on a two-day agenda.
A related, controversial amnesty law is expected to follow. Speaker of the parliament described the move as transitioning Lebanon toward a more humane state. Any death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment. The bill must now receive endorsement from the cabinet and President Joseph Aoun. Despite Human Rights Watch urging Lebanon to sever ties with capital punishment, the bill has faced no major public opposition. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reportedly supported the measure.
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