The Lebanese parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, making Lebanon the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to end the practice. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed the decision and called on other nations in the region to follow suit.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement that Lebanon had taken an important step as the first regional country to end what he described as an inhumane practice. Lebanon has not carried out an execution since 2004.
Under the new legislation passed by parliament, offenses committed before the law takes effect will be punished with life imprisonment instead of capital punishment. Türk noted that for a country suffering from devastating attacks and heavy losses, the decision reflected a firm commitment to the right to life.
Implementation and International Reaction
Türk requested that the law be presented soon to the president of Lebanon for confirmation and signature. He emphasized that the measure should take effect without delay.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised the vote, describing it as a historic and bold decision. In a message posted on X, Barrot said Lebanon demonstrated its ability to uphold democratic values and freedoms despite severe ongoing challenges.
Barrot added that the legislation fulfilled a commitment Lebanon made one month ago in Paris during the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty.
