Lebanon's Parliament Passes Divisive General Amnesty Law

Lebanon's parliament has passed a controversial general amnesty law, a day after lawmakers voted to formally abolish the death penalty. The legislation, which has been debated since 2019, replaces death sentences with long prison terms, reduces life sentences, and provides for the release of some convicted militants and drug dealers.

Supporters of the bill describe it as a step toward correcting past overreach by the judiciary and security agencies, and as a measure to ease severe prison overcrowding. Critics, however, argue the law is unbalanced and largely benefits Sunni Islamist prisoners.

The debate has exposed deep sectarian tensions among Lebanon's various Islamic and Christian communities. Sunni lawmakers pushed for the release of Islamist militants, while Shiite legislators sought freedom for drug dealers, many from the cannabis-growing region of Baalbek. Christian representatives demanded amnesty for hundreds of Lebanese who fled to Israel after the 2000 Israeli withdrawal, many of whom had links to the now-defunct South Lebanon Army militia.

The most contentious issue was the fate of extremist Islamist prisoners, including cleric Ahmad al-Assir, who was sentenced to death in 2017 following clashes that killed 18 soldiers. His release timeline remains unclear, though one lawmaker suggested he could be freed within two years.

The law excludes those convicted of rape, trafficking, corruption, terror funding, and premeditated murder. It also excludes repeated drug offenders and Lebanese convicted of collaborating with Israel. Sentences for killing Lebanese troops are reduced.

Foreign prisoners released under the law, mainly Syrian Islamist militants, will be transferred to Lebanon's General Security agency, though it is unclear if they will be deported.

Families of slain soldiers have condemned the law as a grave injustice. Civil society groups and activists have also criticized the move, arguing that justice requires accountability and institutional reform, not blanket amnesty. Activist Nizar Saghieh noted that while lawmakers cite unfair trials, they have not implemented any structural changes to the courts.

Videos on social media showed Islamist prisoners in Roumieh prison celebrating the law's passage. The last similar amnesty in Lebanon was in 1991, which absolved combatants and militia leaders of atrocities following the 1975-90 civil war.