[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

August 1


UZBEKISTAN:

Uzbekistan to end death penalty in 2008


Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a decree on Monday to end the death
penalty from 2008 and replace it with life imprisonment for very serious
crimes, state television reported.

It was unclear what the timing of the long-awaited move signified, as
earlier this year Kamirov called for an end to the death penalty within 2
years.

Karimov is facing strained relations with the United States and harsh
criticism from human rights groups after authorities crushed an uprising
in the city of Andizhan on May 13, killing hundreds.

Uzbekistan has also angrilyUnited Natis airlift of refugees who fled from
their Central Asian country to neighbouring Kyrgystan after the events in
Andizhan.

International human rights watchdog Amnesty International last year called
Uzbekistan and Belarus the "last executioners" in Europe and Central Asia.

(source: Reuters)