Bassel: We Reject Amnesty for Serious Crimes and Support Ending the Wrongs Against Detainees

Announced by leader of the "Free Patriotic Movement" and Member of Parliament Gebran Bassil from the National Assembly, his rejection of the amnesty law in its current form, warning that enacting periodic amnesty laws would encourage criminal acts and entrench the principle of impunity.

Bassil stated his position on the amnesty law has been well known, emphasizing that "any country that passes an amnesty law every ten years is a country encouraging crimes and affirming the principle of impunity."

On the other hand, he stressed his opposition to "the injustice inflicted on a group of people who remain years in prison without trial," affirming his support for "any formulation that allows lifting this injustice."

Bassil criticized what he described as "excess" in proposing the amnesty law, pointing out that it now includes "those who intentionally killed and drug traffickers and other types of crimes," saying: "That is why we are against this law."

Regarding the Minister of Defense, Bassil said the minister "wanted to provide the army's opinion on this matter because the amnesty covers military killers, but he was prevented from doing so," noting that this "does not conflict with the Prime Minister's authority, especially since this law originates from parliament, not the government."

Bassil emphasized that "regardless of the minister's personal identity, sect, or affiliation, according to the Taif Agreement he is a constitutional authority in his own right, and no one can prevent him from carrying out his duties," highlighting that "Article 67 of the constitution is clear."