Lebanon parliament votes to abolish death penalty

Lebanon's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, a decision that will next proceed to the cabinet for approval. This move, if finalized, would make Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to end capital punishment. The vote follows a de facto moratorium on executions in the country since 2004, with no presidential decree for an execution signed since that year. The campaign for abolition has been ongoing for nearly three decades, with activists highlighting the importance of fighting for human rights even during times of conflict. Previously, the death penalty could be imposed for serious offenses such as aggravated murder, terrorism-related crimes, treason, and espionage. This development contrasts with other Middle Eastern nations where the death penalty remains in use, with Jordan resuming executions and Israel considering expanding its application.

Lebanon's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. This decision makes Lebanon the first country in the Arab world to end capital punishment. The vote was largely supported by the 128-member parliament, with the exception of the Hezbollah bloc. While Lebanon has observed an unofficial moratorium on executions since 2004, numerous death sentences were still issued and later suspended or commuted. Rights groups have celebrated the move as a significant step towards ending a cruel punishment. However, the specifics of how aggravated hard labor will be enforced remain unclear, and the abolition occurs as parliament debates a broad amnesty law that has faced protests from families of victims of militant attacks.

Lebanon's parliament has approved legislation abolishing the death penalty, making it the first Arab nation to do so. The vote, which occurred on Tuesday, replaces capital punishment with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. Justice Minister Adel Nassar called the decision a "historic step" for the country. The measure passed with a majority vote in the 128-member parliament, though Hezbollah's bloc opposed it. The legislation, initially submitted in October 2025, was amended before approval, with crimes committed before its enactment to be punished by life imprisonment, and subsequent offenses by aggravated life imprisonment.