Lebanon Becomes First Arab Nation to Abolish Death Penalty

Lebanon has made history by becoming the first Arab country to abolish the death penalty. In a significant legislative move, the nation's parliament voted to replace capital punishment with life imprisonment and mandatory labor.

The decision saw broad support among the 128 members of parliament, with a majority casting their votes in favor of abolition. The parliamentary bloc of Hezbollah was notably the only faction to oppose the measure. Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar hailed the parliament's decision as a "historic step" for the country.

Human rights organizations, which had long advocated for either a formal moratorium or complete abolition of the death penalty, have welcomed the parliamentary vote. Although the death penalty remained in Lebanon's legal code for many years, its practical application had been suspended. The last execution in the country took place in 2004, making the recent parliamentary decision a formalization of a long-standing de facto policy.

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historic step