Spain celebrates the abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon: "A fundamental milestone for the protection of human rights"

The Government of Spain has congratulated Lebanon on the parliamentary approval, this August 11, of the law that eliminates the death penalty for all crimes and consolidates its abolition in the country's legal system.

Foreign Affairs considers that this decision represents “a fundamental milestone for the protection of human rights in the region” and highlights that death sentences already handed down will be commuted to life imprisonment.

España expresa su felicitación a la República Libanesa por la histórica aprobación parlamentaria de la Ley para la abolición de la pena de muerte en el Líbano, que consagra la plena abolición de la pena de muerte en su ordenamiento jurídico.

🔗 https://t.co/HGHA84eMVz pic.twitter.com/mBky5bAdet

— Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación (@MAECgob) August 11, 2026

The new legislation legally ends a de facto moratorium that Lebanon had maintained since 2004. For Spain, the step taken reinforces the protection of the right to life and demonstrates that it is possible to advance in human rights even in complex security contexts.

With this measure, Lebanon becomes the 114th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all types of crimes. The Spanish Government has highlighted the “determination and courage” of the Lebanese institutions and has described their decision as “inspiring leadership” in the Arab world.

Spain has also taken advantage of the announcement to reiterate its rejection of capital punishment, which it considers “a cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, and has warned that any possible judicial error would have irreversible consequences.

In this regard, the Executive calls on States that still maintain the death penalty to establish immediate moratoria on executions as a preliminary step to its definitive elimination. It also asks to avoid any attempt to reinstate it, especially when it can be applied in a discriminatory manner.

Finally, Spain has reaffirmed its “deep friendship with the people and authorities of Lebanon” and its willingness to continue cooperating with the country in institutional strengthening, judicial reform, the rule of law and the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.