Death_Penalty_2005_nowy.qxd 2005-09-08 17:00 Page 26 THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE OSCE AREA 3.5 LATVIA RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS International Instruments Ratification Status73 ICCPR R Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR – CRC R ECHR R Protocol No. 6 to the ECHR R Protocol No. 13 to the ECHR S Status: partly abolitionist LEGAL FRAMEWORK The death penalty has been abolished for crimes committed in peacetime. However, the Criminal Code envisages the death penalty for murder with aggravating circumstances if committed during wartime.74 Draft laws on ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and Protocol No. 13 to the ECHR have been submitted to parliament. 73 74 R = ratified, S = signed, a dash (-) indicates that the participating State has neither signed nor ratified the relevant instrument. Article 37 of the Criminal Code, 15 October 1998, with amendments of 18 May 2000. This article also provides that the death penalty may not be applied to individuals below the age of 18 at the time of the crime, or to women. 26