Lebanese Parliament Approves Law Abolishing the Death Penalty and Replacing It with Life Imprisonment
Beirut, August 11 (KUNA) — The Lebanese Parliament approved on Tuesday a bill aimed at abolishing the death penalty in Lebanon, after making fundamental amendments to its provisions. The amended bill, proposed by MP Abdul Rahman Bzri, stipulates that crimes that warranted the death penalty and were committed before the law’s issuance will be replaced with life imprisonment, as will crimes committed after its enactment. The Parliament is also currently debating, in a continuous session, a bill seeking to grant a general amnesty and exceptionally reduce the duration of certain penalties.
During the parliamentary session dedicated to discussing the general amnesty bill, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that the government’s firm and clear stance on the legislation is rooted in a commitment to justice and support for oversight and judicial institutions. Responding to questions raised about the government’s representation and discrepancies with the Ministry of Defense, Salam stated that he was speaking on behalf of the government in accordance with Article 64 of the Lebanese Constitution, which stipulates that the Prime Minister represents the government and speaks on its behalf, thereby affirming cabinet solidarity. He denied rumors regarding the Defense Minister’s absence or the existence of internal disagreements.
Salam noted that the Lebanese Armed Forces’ position on the amnesty law had been formally expressed, with his approval, before parliamentary committees through a written memorandum submitted by the Defense Minister prior to the final approval of the bill’s text. He stressed that the government has consistently sought to provide necessary support to the military institution, equip it, enhance its capabilities, and maintain its morale and unifying status.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights praised the Lebanese Parliament’s decision to officially abolish the death penalty, noting that Lebanon has become the first country in the region to take this step. The High Commissioner affirmed that the decision represents “a strong principled commitment to the right to life amid the challenges Lebanon is facing,” and called for expediting the referral of the law to Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun for signature and entry into force. (End) F.Z./R.J.
