COLOMBIA: Conscientious objector forced to serve in the military

This week Colombian conscientious objector Juan Carlos Montoya Munera was forcefully recruited by the Colombian military in the city of Antioquia, and taken to the barracks of the BatallÃn Bombona Coronel DÃaz, where he is being forced to do his military service. At the time being, War Resisters' International does not have any information about his situation in the barracks.
During this week the Colombian military forcefully recruited a number of youth in the cities of Medellin and Antioquia, also taking conscientious objectors. On 10 October Alejandro Piedrahita, a conscientious objector and activist with WRI's affiliate Red Juvenil, was detained by the military together with 50 other youth. He announced his conscientious objection to the military, he was later secretely released by the military, so that other detained youth could not see it. On the next day, Hector Fabian LondoÃo, another activist of Red Juvenil, was detained while working, observing the military detaining other youth. He also declared his objection, and called Red Juvenil while detained by the military. He too was released.

Although the Colombian constitution recognises freedom of conscience and religion in its Article 18, the country does not recognise the right to conscientious objection. Forced recruitment is a common practice in Colombia. At bus stops, in market places, on the street the military pick up youths. Those who cannot prove that they have a military service record or have a valid reason to be exempted, are taken to recruitment centres. They are then dispersed around the country to conflict areas, border areas, forests and swamps to perform military service under very harsh and dangerous conditions - this despite Law No. 48 which states that conscripts are to perform their service in their home areas. Such forms of forced recruitment are officially denied by the armed forces.

War Resisters' International calls for letters/faxes of protest to the Colombian authorities, and Colombian embassies abroad. A list of embassies can be found at http://www.presidencia.gov.co/relex/frinter1.htm.

War Resisters' International calls for faxes to the BatallÃn Bombona Coronel DÃaz, calling for the immediate discharge of Juan Carlos Montoya Munera from military service. The fax number is +57-8340123.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of Juan Carlos Montoya Munera and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International
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