Lebanon passes sweeping amnesty law for prisoners, wanted people

Lebanon's parliament has approved a comprehensive amnesty law, a development long-sought by various political parties and a rare piece of legislation since 1991. The law, a culmination of years of debate, aims to alleviate prison overcrowding by reducing the sentences of thousands of inmates who have been waiting for trials for years.

The office of Lebanon's parliament speaker confirmed the approval of a draft law meant to grant a general amnesty and shorten sentences for certain offenders. While the exact number of people benefiting from the law has not been disclosed, one lawmaker explained that the law reduces death and life sentences to 17 years in prison. In Lebanon, a prison year equates to nine months, making the maximum sentence equivalent to 12 years and nine months of actual incarceration.

Under the new law, inmates serving more than twelve years in prison without charges will be released once their trials are concluded. This comes after the National Human Rights Commission's 2025 report highlighted that prisons in Lebanon are operating at 300% capacity, with at least 6,268 inmates as of March. The general amnesty law gained renewed attention following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Many Islamist prisoners were imprisoned for events linked to the Syrian civil war, primarily from Tripoli, a Sunni-majority city in northern Lebanon.

Additionally, political factions such as Iran-backed Shia movement Hezbollah have demanded amnesty for their supporters, who are accused of crimes like attacking the Lebanese army, participating in clashes, and planning bombings. Other demands include the release of drug offenders and individuals involved in car theft from regions like eastern Baalbek and Hermel, areas where Hezbollah and its ally Amal hold significant influence.

Christian parties have also supported the law, particularly for the families of individuals who fled to Israel after Lebanon's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, fearing potential retaliation from Hezbollah and its supporters. Lebanon had previously enacted a general amnesty law in the aftermath of its 1975-90 civil war, which permitted former warlords to enter politics without facing trial for crimes committed during the conflict.