Death_Penalty_2005_nowy.qxd 2005-09-08 17:00 Page 17 BELARUS STATISTICS Death sentences According to official statistics provided by the Ministry of Justice, during the period from 30 June 2003 to 30 June 2004, five individuals were sentenced to death for the murder, with aggravating circumstances, of two or more people. Two of the sentenced individuals were citizens of another country, Ukraine. No information on their identities was provided. Official statistics indicate that one death sentence for murder was handed down in the period from 30 June 2004 to 30 June 2005. This sentence has entered into force (i.e., all appeals stages have been exhausted). An appeal for clemency was rejected. Executions Official statistics indicate that two individuals were executed during the period from 30 June 2003 to 30 June 2004, and four individuals were executed during the period from 30 June 2004 to 30 June 2005 (irrespective of the date of sentencing). No information was provided with respect to the identities of the executed individuals. In a resolution (2005/13) on the situation of human rights in Belarus, the UN Commission on Human Rights urged the Government of Belarus “to provide public information regarding the execution of those sentenced to death”.38 INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS Pregnant women and children Women and individuals who were below the age of 18 at the time of the crime cannot be sentenced to death.39 Fair-trial guarantees In 2001, the UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers reported that: “the administration of justice, together with all its institutions, namely the judiciary, the prosecutorial service and the legal profession, are 38 39 E/CN.4/2005/L.32, 12 April 2005, item 2 (j). Article 59(2)(1), Criminal Code. In addition, Article 59(2)(3) also stipulates that men who are over the age of 65 at the time when the sentence is pronounced are exempt from the death penalty. 17