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YU13129-040303
04 March 2003
YUGOSLAVIA: Conscientious objector called up again
War Resisters' International learned today that the Yugoslav army has called up a conscientious objector again, although he was already sentenced for refusing to serve. Milan Gligoric, a Jehovah's Witness from Ljubovija, was sentenced on 12 December to 4 month suspended sentence, with 2 years parole period. War Resisters' International only learned today that he received a new call up to the army in February 2003, ordering him to report to the military barracks today. It has to be feared that Milan Gligoric will be sent to prison today, although the new constitution of Serbia and Montenegro guarantees the right to conscientious objection. Milan Gligoric is prepared to perform an alternative service of genuine civilian nature, but such a service is at present not available in Serbia and Montenegro. However, he does not accept an unarmed service in the military economic institutions of the Yugoslav Army.
War Resisters' International calls on the Yugoslav authorities and the Yugoslav Army to recognise the right to conscientious objection, and not to imprison Milan Gligoric.
War Resisters' International calls for letters to the Ministry of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Headquarters of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, demanding: - the recognition of the right to conscientious objection; - postponement of call ups for conscientious objectors until a law recognising conscientious objection has been introduced; - ending the practice of repeated call ups for conscientious objectors who have already been sentenced, as this is in breach of international legal standards. Please refer to UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2002/45, which explicitly took note of "recommendation 2 made by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its report (see E/CN.4/2001/14, chap. IV, sect. B), aimed at preventing the judicial system of States from being used to force conscientious objectors to change their convictions"
Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International
President of Serbia and Montenegro
Palata Federacije
Bulevar Mihhajla Pupina 2
11000 Beograd
Tel. +381-11-311 7138
email: president@gov.yu
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
24-26 Kneza Milosa St.
11000 Beograd
Tel. +381-11-3616-333, 3615-666, 3615-055
Fax +381-11-3618-366
Headquarter of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro email: genstaffinfo@vj.yu