Death_Penalty_2005_nowy.qxd 2005-09-08 17:00 Page 25 KYRGYZSTAN Executions None 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.69 Pardon or commutation The Constitution gives the president the authority to grant clemency and provides that all individuals sentenced to death have the right to seek clemency.70 The cases of all individuals sentenced to death are automatically considered by the Presidential Clemency Commission regardless of whether the sentenced person has submitted an appeal for clemency.71 Official statistics indicate that, during the period from 30 June 2004 to 30 June 2005, the death sentences of two individuals were commuted to prison terms. Relatives Relatives are not informed of the execution in advance. The administration of the institution where the execution is carried out is obliged to notify a close relative, although the date of the execution is not disclosed. The body is not returned, and the place of burial is not disclosed.72 69 70 71 72 Article 50(2) of the Criminal Code. Article 18(4) and Article 46 of the Constitution. The clemency procedure is governed by the Law “On general principles of amnesty and clemency” and Presidential Decree No. 100 on “Regulations on the procedure for providing pardon in the Kyrgyz Republic”, 13 April 1995. Article 155(5) of the Criminal Executive Code. 25