EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 52/03/92

Distr: UA/SC

9 July 1992

Further information on UA 164/92 (EUR 52/02/92, 19 May 1992) - Death Penalty

REPUBLIC OF LATVIA:Aleksey VOLKOV

Amnesty International has learned that Aleksey Volkov has been executed. He had been sentenced to death on 11 September 1991 for murder. The Procurator General of the Republic of Latvia informed Amnesty International that the sentence has been carried out, but did not specify the date or place of execution. He stated that Aleksey Volkov's sentence had been examined, but no mitigating factors, which could have led to a change in sentence, were found.

Thank you to all who sent appeals on Aleksey Volkov's behalf. Please send additional appeals as set out below.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The criminal code in the Republic of Latvia is currently being reviewed by a committee of lawyers and members of the Supreme Council, including the question of whether the death penalty should be retained or abolished.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express and airmail letters

- expressing outrage at the execution of Aleksey Volkov;

- expressing the view that this execution is a retrograde step when the worldwide trend is moving towards total abolition of the death penalty;

- expressing dismay that the execution has been carried out at a time when the use of the death penalty is under review;

- urging a complete moratorium on executions pending the review of the death penalty in Latvia.

APPEALS TO:

1. The Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia:

Anatolijs Gorbunovs

Jekaba 11

Riga 226811

Republic of Latvia

Telegrams: Chairman Supreme Council, Riga, Latvia

Faxes: + 7 013 21 16 11

Salutation: Dear Chairman

Page 2 of FU 164/92

2. The Chairman of the Clemency Commission of the

Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia:

Jekaba 11

Riga 226811

Republic of Latvia

Telegrams: Chairman Clemency Commission, Riga, Latvia

Salutation: Dear Chairman

3. The Procurator General of the Republic of Latvia:

Janis Skrastins

Procurator General of the Republic of Latvia

Komunaru bulv. 6

Riga 226050

Republic of Latvia

Telegrams: Procurator General, Riga, Latvia

Salutation: Dear Procurator General

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: diplomatic representatives of the REPUBLIC OF LATVIA in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.