Statement on the occasion of the adoption of the upr report of Lebanon
Statement
We welcome Lebanon’s position in accepting some of the recommendations on strengthening the justice sector and improving strengthening the justice sector and those aimed at improving the conditions of detention, including the fight against acts of torture and ill-treatment.
Nevertheless, we deeply regret that Lebanon did not accept any of the recommendations related to the abolition of the death penalty even though it voted for the first time in favour of the abolition of the death penalty even though it voted for the first time in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty. General Assembly Resolution calling for the establishment of a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty in
in December 2020.
Lebanon has observed a de facto moratorium since 2004 but judges continue to pass death sentences. The death penalty is still carried out for approximately 20 offenses, including offenses that cannot be considered as belonging to the category of the most serious crimes under international law. Today, 82 people on death row, including 1 woman, are reportedly being held in Lebanese prisons.
The death penalty is not justice, it has no deterrent effect. The universal trend is towards abolition: 115 States have abolished the death penalty for all crimes or for ordinary crimes, including 19 member States of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Convinced that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the strengthening of human rights, we call on Lebanon to take further steps towards abolition. We invite the international community to accompany it.
Thank you for your attention.
