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Which country became the first in the Arab world and the Middle East to formally abolish the death penalty?
Lebanon
Jordan
Tunisia
Egypt
Lebanon
Lebanon became the first country in the Middle East and the Arab world to formally abolish the death penalty in August 2026.
The Lebanese parliament approved a landmark law on August 11, 2026, officially ending the practice of capital punishment. Although Lebanon had not carried out an execution since 2004, this legal reform formalizes the moratorium and serves as a major advancement for human rights in the region. The move was supported by a majority in parliament, despite opposition from certain political blocs. Proponents, including international observers like Human Rights Watch, view this as a historic break from arbitrary sentencing practices.
Date of parliamentary approval: August 11, 2026
Status: First country in the Middle East and Arab world to abolish the death penalty
Last execution carried out in Lebanon: 2004
Legal replacement: Capital punishment replaced with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour
A is correct тАФ Lebanon became the first country in the Middle East and Arab world to officially abolish the death penalty on August 11, 2026.
Remember that while the Middle East has seen recent backsliding on capital punishment in other nations, Lebanon's 2026 move aligns with the global trend toward abolition, differentiating it from countries like Jordan or Israel that have recently expanded or reinstated execution policies.