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Uzbekistan 135th country to abolish death penalty

9 January 2008, 11:28AM

The former Soviet Union territory of Uzbekistan has eliminated the use of the death penalty - we welcome the move which is a fundamental step to ending the use of this cruel and inhumane practice worldwide.

As from 1 January this year, capital punishment has been replaced in law with life or long-term imprisonment, making Uzbekistan the 135th country to abolish the death penalty in law or practice.

We call on the few remaining territories in the former Soviet Union that retain the death penalty, to fully abolish it and so make the entire region a death penalty free zone.

We oppose use of the death penalty in all cases, without exception. It violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

Last month, the global campaign against the death penalty secured a major victory when the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the call for a worldwide moratorium. In a landslide result, 104 UN member states including Australia - voted in favour of the ground-breaking resolution.

Meanwhile, we urge Uzbekistan authorities to honour its commitment, as a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to "make available to the public information regarding the use of the death penalty".

Amnesty International is concerned that prior to the abolition of the death penalty relatives of executed prisoners had not been informed about the dates and places of executions and burials. Authorities should ensure the families receive full access to such information and be allowed to collect their relatives' personal effects.

In 2006, only 25 countries carried out the death penalty with 91 per cent of all known executions taking place in just six countries: China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan and the USA. Recorded executions worldwide fell by more than 25 per cent in 2006, dropping from at least 2,148 in 2005 to at least 1,591.

Comments

Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.

1

Jennifer Atkinson
11 January 2008, 10:14PM Notify the web editor

I oppose the use of the death penalty. No exceptions. The very thought of someone having to take another persons life due to the courts instructions violates not only the accused but the person with the job of killing the accused. Its inhumane. Its barbaric and serves no purpose.

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