Death_Penalty_2005_nowy.qxd 2005-09-08 17:00 Page 43 UZBEKISTAN circumstances.148 In these six cases, the UN Human Rights Committee lodged requests with Uzbekistan to stay their executions while their cases are pending before the Committee. Executions Official statistics were not provided. Human rights groups in Uzbekistan allege that around 200 people are executed in Uzbekistan every year. According to unofficial statistics compiled from media reports and information received from non-governmental organizations, at least four individuals were executed during the period from 30 June 2004 to 30 June 2005. Mardonbek Jumaniyozov was reportedly executed on 20 July 2004. Azizbek Karimov and Yusuf Zhumayev were reportedly executed on 10 August 2004.149 Akhrorkhuzha Tolipkhuzhaev was reportedly executed on 1 March 2005.150 In the last three cases, the UN Human Rights Committee had lodged requests with the Uzbek authorities to stay the executions of these three men while their cases were being considered by the Committee. In a press statement in September 2004, the UN special rapporteur on the question of torture, Theo van Boven, highlighted “the lack of cooperation by the Government of Uzbekistan with United Nations human rights mechanisms in relation to reports on executions of persons whose sentences were allegedly based on confessions extracted under torture”.151 INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS Women and children Women and individuals who were below the age of 18 at the time of the crime cannot be sentenced to death.152 Fair-trial guarantees The UN special rapporteur on torture described the use of torture in Uzbekistan as systematic. He also reported a lack of respect for the principle of 148 149 150 151 152 EUR 62/014/2005, Amnesty International, 20 June 2005. UN press release, “UN Expert deplores Uzbekistan’s lack of cooperation with UN Human Rights Mechanisms”, 13 September 2004. UN press release, “Human Rights Committee requests explanation from Uzbekistan on execution of an Uzbek national”, 14 April 2005. “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture”, Theo van Boven, E/CN.4/2005/62, 15 December 2004, Paragraph 7. Article 51 of the Criminal Code. This article also stipulates that men over the age of 60 at the time of sentencing cannot be sentenced to death. 43