Amnesty International urges Lebanese president not to implement death sentences

Amnesty International has urged Lebanon's President, Emile Lahoud, to use his prerogative to immediately commute the death sentences passed on 27 people. 

Amnesty International said it believed that executing these people would contribute little to alleviating the suffering of the families of murder victims.  

The organization opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, considering it to be a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected "to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."  

"That Lebanon may be soon carrying out executions after a five-year moratorium - as well as decades of war and occupation during which and tens of thousands of people lost their lives - would be a serious blow to the spirit of reconciliation and opposition to the death penalty which has recently pervaded the country," Amnesty International said.  

© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)