Lebanon votes to abolish the death penalty, a first in the Middle East

On August 11, 2026, the Lebanese Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, marking a first in the Middle East. According to reports, this decision follows a series of bills discussed during the current legislative session, including a general amnesty bill that has been debated for several years.

Justice Minister Adel Nassar called this decision "historic," emphasizing its importance in the context of the country's judicial reforms. Since 2004, Lebanon has not carried out any executions, although the death penalty has continued to be imposed in certain cases.

Crimes committed before the enactment of this new law will now be punished with life imprisonment, thereby replacing the death penalty. This change in legislation could have significant impacts on the Lebanese penal system and the management of sentences.

According to some sources, the only parliamentary bloc opposing this abolition was Hezbollah. This indicates differing opinions within Parliament regarding the issue of the death penalty and its abolition.

This decision makes Lebanon the first Arab country to officially abolish the death penalty, highlighting a shift in attitudes towards human rights in the region. Various human rights organizations have hailed this initiative as a step towards the protection of fundamental rights.

The scope of this law remains to be clarified, particularly regarding the implementation for individuals sentenced before its adoption. The question of rehabilitation for former convicts and the management of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment raises concerns about the future of the penal system in Lebanon.