Lebanon Sets Precedent: Parliament Votes to Abolish Death Penalty

On Tuesday, Lebanon’s 128‑seat parliament approved a bill that will formally end the country’s use of capital punishment – a first for the Middle East. The measure replaces the death penalty with life imprisonment and hard labour.

A majority of MPs voted in favour, while the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc cast an opposing vote. The legislation will now go to the cabinet for approval before being signed by President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanon has not carried out an execution since January 2004, though courts have continued to issue death sentences. Rights organisations estimate that more than 78 people remain on death row.

Replacing Capital Punishment with Hard Labour

Under the new law, offenses that previously carried the death penalty – such as aggravated murder, serious terrorism‑related crimes, treason, espionage and state‑security offences – will now result in a life sentence coupled with hard labour. The law references “hard labour” in Lebanese statutes, but it has rarely been applied in recent years due to limited prison resources amid the nation’s financial crisis.

A Decade‑Long Campaign

The legislation follows years of protests and legal advocacy spearheaded by civil‑society groups. Oragit Younan, co‑founder of the Lebanese Association for Civil Rights, led a nearly thirty‑year campaign to remove the death penalty. “Even in a war‑ridden society, we can fight for human rights and set a model for others,” she said.

Regional Context

Lebanon’s decision comes as other Middle‑Eastern nations grapple with capital punishment. Jordan resumed executions in June, the first since 2017, while Israel expanded conditions for the death penalty in May. The United Nations has voiced concern over Iran’s rise in executions used for political suppression.

This shift in Lebanon’s legal system signals a broader move toward progressive human‑rights legislation in a region where the death penalty remains contentious. The new law offers a path toward more humane criminal sentencing and reflects growing domestic pressure for legal reform.

Photo: Protesters hold cardboard figures with ropes around their necks during a rally against the death penalty in Beirut (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images). View larger image