European Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 (Cyprus)

Service required to replace military service

In its last two conclusions (Conclusions XVI-1 and Conclusions 2004), the Committee maintained that that the duration of the service that replaced compulsory military service, generally twice the length of the military service itself, was excessive. The report contains no information on this point. The Committee therefore considers that the situation is unchanged and is still not in conformity with the Revised Charter.
Admittedly, recognised conscientious objectors are in a better position than they are in countries that do not grant them special status or where refusal to serve is punishable by imprisonment. But even if states acknowledge the principle of conscientious objection and institute alternative service instead, they cannot make the latter longer than is necessary to ensure that refusal to serve on grounds of conscience is genuine and the choice of alternative service is not seen as advantageous rather than a duty.

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Source: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/Cy…