The Lebanese Parliament voted to eliminate capital punishment after extensive debates in the general assembly, introducing key amendments to restructure criminal sentencing. Under the newly agreed formulation, crimes committed before the law takes effect carry a sentence of life imprisonment, while offenses committed afterward will be punished with rigorous life imprisonment.
Parliament Abolishes the Death Penalty Amid Political Walkouts
The reform triggered starkly contrasting responses across political blocs. The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc registered its absolute opposition to the repeal and staged a walkout from the chamber. Other factions threw their weight behind the measure; the Democratic Gathering bloc backed the cancellation, while the Minister of Justice described the move as historic. Deputy Abdul Rahman Bazari proposed an amendment substituting the sentences with hard labor for crimes committed before the enactment and rigorous hard labor for those committed afterward, whereas MP Timour Jumblatt affirmed the Democratic Gathering’s support for the abolition. Minister of Justice Adel Nassar also endorsed the cancellation, calling the step historic.
Disputes Over the General Amnesty Bill Disrupt Legislative Sessions
While the death penalty vote succeeded, discussions surrounding the proposed general amnesty bill proved volatile. Lawmakers clashed over the scope of offenses that would be eligible for clemency. Ahead of the proceedings, Lawmaker George Adwan emphasized that an earlier agreement had been struck and insisted that participants ensure its faithful implementation upon entering the hall.
The deep polarization surrounding the file was underscored by MP Elias Hankash, who stated that general amnesty is a political decision rather than a judicial matter. Hankash remarked that while there are aggrieved individuals requiring justice, horrific crimes exist for which his side would not accept pardons, warning against letting both the guilty and innocent walk free with the stroke of a pen. He added that his bloc would not obstruct the session but might abstain from voting on the current text.
The tensions spilled into an executive-military dispute prior to the sessions. An encounter took place between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Minister of Defense Michel Menassa, alongside MP George Adwan, to resolve a disagreement regarding Menassa’s planned speech outlining the Lebanese Army’s position on the amnesty law. Salam maintained that the Prime Minister alone speaks for the government under Article 64 of the Constitution. Menassa ultimately did not attend the evening session after an agreement on his address could not be reached.
During the evening session, Salam addressed the controversy surrounding Menassa’s absence, denying that he prevented the Defense Minister from attending. Salam explained that although Menassa had prepared a statement, he informed him that the government’s position would be delivered by the Prime Minister in accordance with constitutional provisions. Salam characterized claims that he barred Menassa as a false fabrication and stressed that the Defense Minister remains a close friend operating under ministerial solidarity. Following Tuesday’s volatile exchanges and consultations, House Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned the session.
MP Ibrahim Kanaan also pulled out after the chamber declined to hear the remarks and feedback of Army leadership and Defense Minister Michel Menassa on the proposal. Consequently, decisions regarding the general amnesty bill were postponed to a subsequent session due to ongoing disagreements over its provisions and scope.
Media Law Passed Without Alterations
In addition to repealing the death penalty, the legislature passed the media law without amendments during its sessions, replacing legislation that was thirty years old. Minister of Information Paul Makhlouf celebrated the measure on X, writing that the new media law replaces a three-decade-old statute. However, Parliamentary Media Committee Chairman Ibrahim Moussawi expressed professional reservations regarding the haste in ratifying the text without refinement, questioning whether professional syndicates tasked with appointing the National Media Authority are truly free of political influence and demanding the law be returned to committees for further study.
Following Tuesday’s actions, Prime Minister Salam posted on X on Wednesday morning, celebrating the previous day’s repeal of capital punishment with the words: Towards a restorative, not retributive justice. Congratulations on the abolition of capital punishment yesterday… and hopefully the general amnesty law will be passed today.
