Lebanon becomes the first Arab country to abolish the death penalty

Lebanon becomes the first Arab country to abolish the death penalty

Lebanon’s parliament voted on August 11 to abolish the death penalty. With this decision, Lebanon became the first Arab country to abolish capital punishment.

No executions have been carried out in the country since January 2004, although courts have continued to issue death sentences.

The majority of the 128 members of parliament supported the legislation. Justice Minister Adel Nassar described the decision as a “historic step.”

Under the new law, the death penalty will be replaced with life imprisonment with hard labor. However, the exact procedure for applying the new punishment has not yet been determined. Lebanon’s parliament is also currently considering a bill on a general amnesty.