Lebanon Becomes First Arab Country to Abolish Death Penalty Amid Political Tensions
Lebanon's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with hard labor under severe conditions. This legislative change, passed by a large majority of the 128-member parliament except for Hezbollah's bloc, marks the first formal abolition of capital punishment in the Arab world. Although Lebanon had unofficially suspended executions since 2004, death sentences were still occasionally handed down by courts. The Justice Minister called the vote a "historic step," and human rights groups like Human Rights Watch welcomed the decision. However, some Lebanese citizens, particularly families of soldiers killed by armed groups, opposed the move, wanting the death penalty enforced on perpetrators.
The vote occurs amid a broader struggle within Lebanon's government, led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to disarm Hezbollah and restore state authority over weapons. Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc abstained from the vote, reflecting ongoing tensions between the government and the armed group operating autonomously within Lebanon.
In other news, Palestinian students and faculty at Columbia University filed a lawsuit alleging systematic discrimination and unfair disciplinary hearings against Palestinians on campus since late 2023. The suit follows protests demanding the U.S. end support for Israel amid the Iron Swords conflict, with Columbia suspending over 65 students after a pro-Palestinian demonstration in May 2025. Columbia denies the allegations and condemns all hate speech.
Meanwhile, Cameroon's 93-year-old President Paul Biya has been absent from the country for over two months, reportedly staying in Switzerland. His prolonged absence has sparked political concern and questions about governance, especially as Biya has reshuffled military leadership remotely. Cameroon faces multiple crises including Boko Haram insurgency, separatist conflicts, and economic stagnation.
Lastly, a major UK-Ireland underwater power cable project worth £430 million was rerouted to avoid disturbing a fictional memorial site dedicated to Dobby, a beloved character from the Harry Potter series. The change came after public outcry from fans who treat the filming location as a pilgrimage site. The project is now proceeding with the adjusted route.
