Lebanon's parliament officially abolishes death penalty, first in Middle East

In a landmark decision, Lebanon's parliament has officially abolished the death penalty, marking a historic first for the Middle East. The parliament announced that all current death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment. This move positions Lebanon as the first nation in the region to formally end capital punishment. Lebanon has not carried out an execution since 2004, yet the death penalty remained a legal sentence, with the most recent death sentence issued just the day before this legislative change. International organizations, including Amnesty International, reported that at least 85 individuals were on death row in Lebanon as of January of this year. The death penalty was typically reserved for severe crimes such as murder, terrorism, and espionage. Under the new legislation, the most serious offenses will now be punishable by life imprisonment with hard labor. Justice Minister Adel Nassar described the abolition as a "historic" decision, noting that the shadow of the death penalty had previously hindered Lebanon's ability to extradite fugitives from countries that have already abolished it. Lawmakers and international bodies have lauded the decision. Independent parliamentarian Firas Hamdan celebrated the move on social media, thanking all those who contributed to this moment over the past two decades. The United Nations also praised the decision, with High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urging other Middle Eastern countries that still retain the death penalty to follow Lebanon's example and end what he termed an "inhumane practice." Turk emphasized that in a region often scarred by conflict, this decision demonstrates a "strong and principled commitment to the right to life." The European Union (EU) recognized Lebanon for setting a "strong example for other countries in the Middle East and the wider region." Former colonial power France also hailed the vote as "historic and courageous," with Foreign Minister Noel Barrot stating it showcased Lebanon's continued role as a model by upholding democratic values and freedoms.