The Government of Spain expressed this Tuesday its satisfaction with the "historic" approval in the Lebanese Parliament of the law that eliminates the death penalty in the country and has conveyed its congratulations to this Middle Eastern State for a decision that the Spanish Executive qualifies as a "fundamental milestone" in the defense of human rights in the region.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Spain has highlighted "the determination and courage of Lebanese institutions." "Their inspiring leadership in the Arab world certifies that progress in humanitarian and criminal justice matters is possible even in the face of the most complex security challenges," they have stated.
In the same statement, the Government emphasizes that "the death penalty constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, lacking any deterrent value and whose judicial error is irreparably irreversible."
International Claim Against the Death Penalty
On the other hand, the department headed by José Manuel Albares has reiterated its "global call" to states that still retain this form of punishment in their legal system "to establish immediate moratoriums on executions as a preliminary step to their total eradication," and has urged those who are considering reinstating it to "desist from any legislative rollback."
At the same time, the Executive has reaffirmed its "deep friendship" with Lebanese society and authorities and has expressed its willingness to continue strengthening cooperation ties with their Government in their "brave efforts" aimed at "institutional strengthening and the rule of law, as well as the reform of the judicial system and the promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms."
With this decision, Lebanon becomes the 114th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, a sanction that was still contemplated in its legislation, although no executions have been recorded since 2004.
The new regulation provides for the elimination of the death penalty for individuals already convicted and its replacement with life imprisonment with "aggravated forced labor," while sentences issued after its entry into force will also be commuted to this same type of penalty, according to what was reported by the Lebanese news agency NNA.