Lebanon abolishes death penalty: Where does capital punishment still exist?

Lebanon's parliament voted on Tuesday to abolish the death penalty, making it the first country in the Middle East to do so. The new legislation replaces death sentences with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. Justice Minister Adel Nassar, who attended the parliamentary session, described the vote as a “historic step” for Lebanon. The law is set to go to the cabinet for approval, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to justice and human rights. Prior to this decision, Lebanon had not carried out an execution since 2004, although death sentences continued to be issued, with the latest one handed down just a day before the parliamentary vote. As of January 2023, Amnesty International reported that at least 85 individuals remained on death row in Lebanon. Capital punishment in the country has typically been applied to serious crimes, including murder, terrorism, and espionage. The abolition of the death penalty reflects a broader global trend away from capital punishment. Human rights advocates have welcomed the move, viewing it as a step towards reforming the justice system in Lebanon. The passage of this legislation positions Lebanon as a leader in the region regarding the abolition of capital punishment, aligning with a growing number of countries worldwide that are moving towards eliminating this form of punishment.