Lebanon should resist increasing calls to resume executions and instead work to abolish the punishment, Human Rights Watch said in a statement issued Sunday marking World Day Against The Death Penalty.
Lebanon has not executed anyone since 2004, but there are growing calls from Lebanese politicians for the death penalty to be carried out against those convicted of spying for Israel and of belonging to armed jihadist groups, the rights group said.
President Michel Sleiman, who must sign death warrants, said on July 1 that he will approve death penalties issued by military tribunals trying people on charges of spying and of terrorism cases.
More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of espionage since April 2009, including telecom employees, members of the security forces and active duty troops.
"The death penalty is making a comeback just when Lebanon was on the verge of discussing banning the practice," said Nadim Houry, HRW director in Lebanon.
"If executions resume in Lebanon, there is a very real possibility that the state will execute innocent people," Houry said.
Lebanon has not executed anyone since 2004, but there are growing calls from Lebanese politicians for the death penalty to be carried out against those convicted of spying for Israel and of belonging to armed jihadist groups, the rights group said.
President Michel Sleiman, who must sign death warrants, said on July 1 that he will approve death penalties issued by military tribunals trying people on charges of spying and of terrorism cases.
More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of espionage since April 2009, including telecom employees, members of the security forces and active duty troops.
"The death penalty is making a comeback just when Lebanon was on the verge of discussing banning the practice," said Nadim Houry, HRW director in Lebanon.
"If executions resume in Lebanon, there is a very real possibility that the state will execute innocent people," Houry said.
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