UZBEKISTAN At least 14 death sentences have been executed despite requests of the UN Human Rights Committee to stay the executions. In July 2003, the Human Rights Committee deplored the executions of six men that had been carried out despite the intervention of the Human Rights Committee. The Human Rights Committee reminded Uzbekistan that it amounts to a grave breach of the Optional Protocol to execute an individual whose case is pending before the Committee, in particular where a request for interim protection has been issued.147 Pardon or commutation Death sentences can be commuted to 25 years' imprisonment.148 The cases of all persons sentenced to death are automatically considered by the Clemency Commission under the Office of the President regardless of whether the sentenced person has submitted an appeal for clemency. Sentences are not executed until a decision on clemency has been issued. Relatives Relatives are not informed in advance of the date of execution. The body is not returned, and the place of burial is not disclosed. Following his mission to Uzbekistan, the Special Rapporteur on Torture expressed serious concern regarding the situation of relatives of persons sentenced to death: “The complete secrecy surrounding the date of execution, the absence of any formal notification prior to and after the execution and the refusal to hand over the body for burial are believed to be intentional acts, fully mindful of causing family members turmoil, fear and anguish over the fate of their loved ones. The practice of maintaining families in a state of uncertainty with a view to punishing or intimidating them or others must be considered malicious and amounting to cruel and inhuman treatment.”149 147 148 149 On 24 July 2003, the acting High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a press release expressing his concern regarding the executions of individuals for whom stays of execution had been requested by the Human Rights Committee. Article 93 of the Constitution and Article 51(3) of the Criminal Code. Regulation on the Procedure of Granting Clemency in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan NYII-1839, 11 September 1997. Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mission to Uzbekistan, E/CN.4/2003/68/Add.2, 3 February 2003, Paragraph 65. 47