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World
Lebanon: Parliament abolishes death penalty, a first in the Middle East
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 1 min read
The essentials
On August 11, 2026, Lebanon's parliament voted to abolish capital punishment, making Lebanon the first country in the Middle East and Arab world to take this step. The death penalty is now replaced by life imprisonment with hard labor, a change that applies retroactively to all previously issued death sentences. Lebanon had not carried out executions since 2004 and had been observing an unofficial moratorium. Justice Minister Adel Nassar called the vote "historic," while Human Rights Watch praised it as "a monumental step for human rights."
- Lebanon's parliament abolishes capital punishment on August 11, 2026.
- First abolition in the Arab world and the Middle East.
- Life imprisonment with hard labor replaces the death penalty for all crimes.
- Lebanon had not executed anyone since 2004.
- Human Rights Watch calls it "a monumental step for human rights."
What we know
Lebanon's parliament voted on August 11, 2026 to abolish capital punishment, according to France 24. Lebanon becomes the first country in the Middle East and Arab world to make this decision.
The death penalty is replaced by life imprisonment with hard labor. This provision applies to all crimes, including those committed before the law takes effect.
The country was already observing an unofficial moratorium: no executions had been carried out since 2004.
Context
The abolition comes during a parliamentary session that is also examining a broader amnesty law, which has been debated for several years.
Reactions
Justice Minister Adel Nassar called the vote "historic." He stressed that Beirut will no longer face rejection on its extradition requests for suspects to abolitionist countries.
A monumental step for human rights.
— Ramzi Kaiss, researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Kaiss also condemned capital punishment as "cruel and arbitrary, and one that should never have been imposed."
Frequently asked questions
What happens to people already sentenced to death in Lebanon?
Their sentence is converted to life imprisonment with hard labor. The new law applies retroactively to crimes committed before it takes effect.
Had Lebanon already suspended executions before this vote?
Yes. The country had not carried out executions since 2004 and had observed an unofficial moratorium since then.
What are the practical consequences for extraditions?
According to Justice Minister Adel Nassar, Lebanon will no longer face rejection on its extradition requests for suspects to abolitionist countries, which had complicated certain judicial cooperations until now.
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