Lebanon Scraps Death Penalty, Enacts Divisive Amnesty Law

The Story in Brief

Beirut: Lebanon’s parliament passed a controversial general amnesty law on Wednesday, a day after majority legislators voted to formally abolish the death penalty. The law replaces death sentences with long prison terms, reduces life sentences, and frees some convicted militants and drug dealers. It excludes rape, trafficking, corruption, terror funding, and premeditated murder, but reduces sentences for killing Lebanese troops. Critics say the law is skewed to benefit Sunni Islamist prisoners, exposing sectarian tensions. It is the first such amnesty since 1991, when combatants were absolved after the 15-year civil war.