death penalty news June 7, 2004
UZBEKISTAN: Residents of Uzbekistan support death penalty - poll Residents of Uzbekistan object to a moratorium or abolition of the death penalty, judging by a poll done by the Izhtimoii Fikr (Public Opinion) Center. "The absolute majority of residents, 78.2%, think the death penalty is permissible or necessary for punishing grave crimes," a center source told Interfax on Monday. "The rate was 76.9% in 1999," he added. The center polled 1,200 people, 47.1% of them men and 52.9% women, in nine regions of Uzbekistan. "Citizens of the republic believe the death penalty is a fair punishment that criminals must face," said the center's sociologists. Respondents think that "fear for one's own life is the only thing that can stop a criminal." In general, all population groups support the death penalty. "Some 56.2% of the respondents objected to a moratorium on the death penalty. They said a moratorium might increase the crime rate," the source said. (source: Interfax)
