Table 19: Death sentences pronounced/Carried Out/Commuted by Sex YEAR 1997 No. of Death Sentences pronounced by courts 33 1998 Male Female No. of Sentences carried out No. of Sentences commuted 33 - 08 37 37 - - 1999 94 94 - - 2000 40 40 - - 2001 28 28 - - 2002 56 56 - - 2003 49 48 01 - 2004 36 36 - - 22 TOTAL 255 254 01 08 22 Source: Ministry of Home Affairs 2004 175. As earlier stated the State party appointed the CRCO that has among its terms of reference, establishing the desirability of the death penalty. Such initiatives are healthy in discussing the death penalty and reaching national consensus on the matter. D. FACTORS AND DIFFICULTIES 176. One of the challenges that the State party faces with regard to the question of the death penalty is the absence of consensus on the issue. 84