Lebanon's parliament voted Tuesday to abolish the death penalty, converting existing death sentences to life imprisonment. The decision makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to end capital punishment.
Amnesty International hailed the move as a victory for human rights. "Lebanon’s decision to abolish the death penalty marks a major milestone and a victory for human rights in the country," said Heba Morayef, the organization's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. "After more than two decades without executions, today’s step transforms a precarious hiatus in executions into lasting legal protection upholding the right to life and bringing Lebanon in line with the global trend towards abolition."
While Lebanon has observed a de facto moratorium on executions since 2004, death sentences continued to be issued. According to France24, dozens of individuals were still slated for execution, with at least one sentence issued as recently as Monday.
The bill now requires the signature of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Aoun's government has previously signaled support for the measure, though Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc dissented.
Previously, crimes such as murder and treason carried the possibility of a death sentence. Under the new legislation, individuals convicted of these offenses will face life imprisonment with hard labor.
In addition to abolishing capital punishment, Lebanese lawmakers are considering a general amnesty to address prison overcrowding. As of 2023, nearly 80% of Lebanon's prison population was awaiting trial, according to Human Rights Watch.