The recent decision of Lebanon to abolish the death penalty marks a fundamental milestone in the protection of human rights in the region. A groundbreaking step that involves commuting the death sentences already handed down to life imprisonment, thus consolidating respect for the right to life, and formalizes a de facto moratorium that the country has maintained since 2004.
“Spain expresses its congratulations to the Lebanese Republic for the historic parliamentary approval, yesterday August 11, of the Law for the abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon, which enshrines the full abolition of the death penalty in its legal system,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This decision,” the Ministry states in the statement, “represents a fundamental milestone for the protection of human rights in the region. By taking this groundbreaking step —which entails commuting the death sentences already handed down to life imprisonment— Lebanon not only consolidates respect for the supreme right to life but also legally formalizes a de facto moratorium that it has maintained exemplary since 2004.”
“Spain,” it adds, “as a country firmly committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty under any circumstances and for all types of crimes, celebrates the determination and courage of Lebanese institutions.” With this law, Lebanon becomes the 114th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all types of crimes. The Ministry highlights that “its inspiring leadership in the Arab world attests that progress in humanitarian and criminal justice matters is possible even in the face of the most complex security challenges.”
According to the statement, “the death penalty constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, lacking any deterrent value and whose judicial error is irreparably irreversible. Therefore, Spain seizes this signal of hope to reiterate its global call to States that still maintain the death penalty to establish immediate moratoriums on executions as a preliminary step towards total eradication, and urges those who plan to reinstate it, particularly those who wish to do so in a discriminatory manner, to refrain from any legislative rollback.”
The Government of Spain reaffirms, finally, its deep friendship with the people and authorities of Lebanon, and “expresses its will to continue cooperating closely with the Government of Lebanon in its brave efforts particularly aimed at strengthening institutions and the rule of law, reforming the judicial system, and tirelessly promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”