Abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon

Spain congratulates the Lebanese Republic on the historic parliamentary approval, on 11 August, of the Law on the abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon, which enshrines the full abolition of the death penalty in its legal system.

This decision represents a fundamental milestone for the protection of human rights in the region. By taking this momentous step-which entails the commutation of death sentences already handed down to life imprisonment-Lebanon not only consolidates respect for the fundamental right to life, but also formally enshrines in law a de facto moratorium that it has maintained in exemplary fashion since 2004.

As a country firmly committed to the universal abolition of capital punishment in all circumstances and for all types of offences, Spain welcomes the determination and courage of the Lebanese institutions. With this law, Lebanon becomes the 114th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all types of offences. Its inspiring leadership in the Arab world demonstrates that progress in humanitarian affairs and criminal justice is possible even in the face of the most complex security challenges.

The death penalty constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, has no deterrent value, and any miscarriage of justice is irreversibly beyond remedy. S​pain therefore takes this hopeful development as an opportunity to reiterate its global call on States that still retain the death penalty to establish immediate moratoriums on executions as a preliminary step towards its complete eradication, and urges those planning to reinstate it, particularly those seeking to do so in a discriminatory manner, to refrain from any legislative backsliding.

The Government of Spain reaffirms its deep friendship with the people and authorities of Lebanon and expresses its willingness to continue cooperating closely with the Government of Lebanon in its courageous efforts aimed particularly at strengthening institutions and the rule of law, reforming the judicial system, and tirelessly promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

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