3.8 Uzbekistan Relevant International Instruments International Instruments Ratification Status ICCPR Ratified Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR Not signed STATUS: retentionist Legal Framework The death penalty is currently envisaged for two crimes:124 murder with aggravating circumstances and terrorism.125 On 29 June 2007, Uzbekistan’s Senate adopted amendments to the Criminal Code that provide for the abolition of the death penalty as of 1 January 2008. The amendments substitute life imprisonment for capital punishment.126 Life imprisonment and long-term imprisonment are only to be applied to first-degree murder and terrorism. Life imprisonment is not to be applied to women, juveniles, or men over 60 years of age. Those serving life imprisonment will be permitted to appeal after serving 25 years; those sentenced to long prison terms, though not life, can appeal after serving 20 years.127 Moratorium There is no moratorium on either the imposition or the carrying out of death sentences. The UN special rapporteur on the question of torture has called for the introduction of a moratorium on executions in Uzbekistan.128 124  Article 51 of the Criminal Code, 22 September 1994, with further amendments of 29 September 2004. 125  Articles 97 (2) and 155 (3) of the Criminal Code. 126  Article 1, para. 1, of the Law “On changes and amendments in some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the abolishment of the death penalty”. 127  Ibid., para. 11. 128  Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture, Theo van Boven, Addendum, Mission to Uzbekistan, E/CN.4/2003/68/Add.2, 3 February 2003, para. 70 (s). 40