THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE OSCE AREA The Law on the Application of the Criminal Code provides that those people who had previously been sentenced to death should have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment by a court.33 However, the death sentences of all 42 persons who had been on death row were commuted to life imprisonment by the president of Armenia on 1 August 2003.34 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern over the commutation process and urged the Armenian authorities to examine each case on an individual basis.35 No steps have been taken in this regard. 33 34 35 Article 6 of the Law on the Application of the Criminal Code, 18 April 2003. Article 55 (17) of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, 1995. See also Article 83 of the Criminal Code. Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Armenia, Resolution 1361, 27 January 2004. 16