Justice Ministry: Abolishing the Death Penalty a 'Historical Step'

The Ministry of Justice congratulates the Lebanese people on this historic step of abolishing the death penalty in Lebanon. While thanking Minister of Justice Adel Najjar, the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the members of parliament who voted in favor of the law, the ministry also acknowledges the initiative of the proposers of the bill and the efforts of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament who chaired the joint committees, as well as the Chair and members of the Committees on Administration and Justice and Human Rights for achieving this legislative milestone. The Ministry considers this achievement the culmination of the parliamentary initiative and the legal and human rights path that Minister Najjar has consistently prioritized throughout his tenure, advancing it resolutely before parliamentary committees and the general assembly until its final approval.

The media office emphasizes that Minister Najjar had previously underscored the importance of this law to the Council of Ministers and stressed the need to bring it back onto the legislative agenda, transforming it from a long-delayed human rights demand into a serious legal undertaking.

Minister Najjar has firmly pursued this reform based on a deeply rooted legal conviction: the strength of justice is not measured by its ability to end a convict’s life, but by its capacity to uncover the truth, ensure justice for victims, and hold perpetrators accountable within the safeguards of the rule of law.

Similarly, the Minister reiterates that abolishing the death penalty does not represent leniency toward serious crimes or diminish the rights of victims and their families. The stringent penalties introduced by the new law ensure accountability and social protection, without retaining a final punishment whose consequences cannot be reversed if, later, errors in investigation, evidence, or trial are discovered.

Moreover, comparative experiences have not demonstrated that capital punishment delivers a decisive deterrent superior to long-term severe penalties. True deterrence is linked to the effectiveness of investigations, speed of trials, judicial independence, and inevitability of accountability—not merely to the severity of punishment.

The Minister affirms that enacting this law reflects Lebanon’s alignment with international principles safeguarding the right to life, human dignity, and fair trial. It also removes obstacles that previously hindered judicial cooperation and the extradition of wanted individuals from countries unwilling to surrender them due to the risk of a death sentence.

Conversely, the Minister hopes for clarity and urges against conflating this fundamental legislative step with ongoing debates about the proposed amnesty law and its content.

Finally, the Ministry of Justice affirms that this achievement will be followed by the development of a penal policy, faster court proceedings, enhanced victim rights, and ultimately, a firm and fair justice system that protects society and upholds human dignity.