The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area Constitution,38 thus providing for the possibility of either the abolition of the death penalty or the imposition of a moratorium on executions as a first step towards full abolition. The Court recalled that such measures may be enacted by the head of state and the Parliament. On 24 June 2005, the president submitted a draft law to the Parliament that, inter alia, supplements the Criminal Code with a reference to the temporary character of the death penalty, which, until its abolition, may be applied as an exceptional measure for cases of premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances. On 23 June 2006, the law was adopted by the Parliament. Moratorium No official moratorium on death sentences or on executions is in place in Belarus. Method of execution Shooting39 Statistics Death sentences According to official statistics provided by the Supreme Court, during the period from 30 June 2006 to 30 June 2007, six individuals were sentenced to death for murder with aggravating circumstances. All convictions are final (i.e., all appeals stages have been exhausted). Executions Official statistics provided by the Supreme Court indicate that, during the period from 30 June 2006 to 30 June 2007, one individual was executed. International Safeguards Pregnant women and minors Women and individuals who were below the age of 18 at the time of the crime cannot be sentenced to death.40 38  Articles 48 (Part 1, para. 11) and 59 were found to be inconsistent with the Constitution due to their lack of reference to the temporary character of the death penalty. 39  Article 59 (1) of the Criminal Code. 40  Article 59 (2)(1) of the 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. 14