Lebanon Parliament Votes to Abolish Death Penalty

Beirut – Lebanon’s parliament has passed a landmark bill that would abolish the death penalty, making the nation the first in the Middle East to eliminate capital punishment. The legislation, which now proceeds to the cabinet for final approval, repeals all statutes authorising execution for crimes ranging from murder to treason and mandates the commutation of existing death sentences to life imprisonment.

If the cabinet signs off, Lebanon will join a growing global movement toward abolition, aligning its criminal justice system with international human‑rights standards and setting a precedent for neighboring states. The reform follows years of advocacy by local NGOs and international organizations, and its enactment would mark a significant shift in the region’s approach to punitive measures.