**Lebanon Becomes First Middle Eastern Country to Abolish Death Penalty**
*Beirut, Lebanon – August 11, 2026*
In a landmark decision, Lebanon's parliament has officially abolished the death penalty, making it the first country in the Middle East to take such a step. The legislation was passed during a parliamentary session on August 11, 2026, where a majority of the 128-member assembly voted in favor of ending capital punishment, with the notable exception of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opened the session, during which lawmakers debated the implications of the law. Justice Minister Adel Nassar described the decision as a “historic step” for Lebanon, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to criminal justice.
The new law replaces the death penalty with life imprisonment accompanied by aggravated hard labor. While Lebanon has not carried out any executions since January 2004, courts have continued to issue death sentences, with 85 individuals facing such sentences as of the end of 2025, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Justice’s Directorate of Prisons.
Heba Morayef, the Middle East and North Africa director for Amnesty International, commended Lebanon's decision, calling it “a major milestone and a victory for human rights in the country.” She emphasized that the abolition transforms a long-standing moratorium on executions into a legal framework that upholds the right to life, aligning Lebanon with a global trend towards the abolition of capital punishment.
Despite the progress, questions remain regarding the enforcement of the new punishment. Some legislators expressed concerns about the clarity of the terms surrounding aggravated hard labor, as Lebanon's existing legal provisions for hard labor have rarely been enforced in recent years. This has been attributed to the country's financial constraints and the overcrowding of its prison system.
The abolition of the death penalty comes at a time when Lebanon's parliament is also considering a controversial general amnesty law. This proposed legislation, which is the largest of its kind since the end of Lebanon's civil war in 1990, could potentially reduce sentences or release individuals convicted of violent crimes. This has sparked protests from family members of Lebanese soldiers and servicemen who have been killed in attacks, many of whom have expressed their desire for harsher penalties for those responsible for such acts, including the death penalty.
As Lebanon navigates these significant legal changes, the implications for the criminal justice system and societal attitudes towards punishment remain to be seen. The abolition of the death penalty is a pivotal moment in the country’s legal history, reflecting a growing recognition of human rights and a shift towards more rehabilitative forms of justice.