Lebanon abolishes the death penalty as the first country in the Middle East

On Tuesday, the Lebanese Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty. This makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to officially implement this measure. The decision was hailed as 'historic,' particularly by Justice Minister Adel Nassar, who participated in the sessions.

This decision comes in the context of a number of bills being discussed during the current legislative period. This includes a general amnesty law that has been under discussion for several years. The death penalty in Lebanon has not been enforced since 2004, although such sentences have continued to be imposed by courts.

The new legal regulations stipulate that convictions to life imprisonment under aggravating circumstances will replace the death penalty. This legal change also applies to previously imposed death sentences that have not been executed.

The abolition of the death penalty has been praised by various international organizations, including Amnesty International, and by countries such as France. This measure is viewed as a step forward for human rights in the region.

The passage of the law did not receive unanimous support. The Hezbollah bloc voted against the abolition, contributing to political tensions within the Parliament. Nevertheless, the law was approved by a majority.

In light of this decision, questions arise about how Lebanon will handle future treatment of offenders, especially since the new regulations will apply to certain crimes. However, the implementation of the law could pose challenges for the existing prison systems in the country.