CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES NEARING ABOLITION

activists hope the countries of Central Asia will soon abolish capital punishment. Turkmenistan abolished the death penalty in 1999. International Helsinki Federation of Human Rights (IHFHS) estimates Uzbekistan executes about 100 people a year, but Amnesty International stated that "secrecy remains an issue in all the countries". IHFHS confirmed extra-judicial killings took place in Turkmenistan. Kyrgyz judges reportedly issue death sentences despite constitutional changes abolishing the death penalty, but the amendments have repercussions for the entire region. It is predicted that Kazakhstan would quickly follow suit. Tajikistan has already converted all death sentences to a fixed-term sentence. Uzbekistan has pledged to abolish the death penalty on Jan 1, 2008. IHFHS stated 'Moratoriums are very positive. But in countries where power rests mostly with the president they can be set aside. And judges are still handing out death penalties during the moratoriums. A full abolition reflected in the constitution and the criminal code is needed."