Uzbek president proposes entrenching death penalty ban in constitution

TASHKENT. June 20 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed adding the provision on the ban of the death penalty to the constitution of the country.

"I propose adding another important provision to our constitution, 'The death penalty is banned in Uzbekistan.' This way, we will show the whole world that we will never turn back when it comes to this crucial issue, and that we are loyal to the ideas of humanism," presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov quoted on his Telegram channel Mirziyoyev as saying at a meeting with members of the constitutional commission for proposals of amendments to the country's fundamental law on Monday.

According to Mirziyoyev, a number of Uzbek citizens proposed bringing the death penalty back to criminal law of the country.

"But the death penalty has been abolished in the majority of countries in the world where the ideals of democracy and humanism were brought to the level of the highest value. Because the right to life is a natural right of every person," the Uzbek president said.

The death penalty has been legally abolished in Uzbekistan since January 1, 2008.