Today's Zaman
31 August 2010

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-220538-101-armys-new-plan-for-uni...

The Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) proposed plan for a new, “uniform compulsory military service” in which every male citizen would be required to serve for nine months regardless of their level of education has been criticized by experts, who argue that such a program cannot address Turkey's need for a professional army.

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 08/16/2010 9:26 AM | National
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/08/16/activists-raise-questions-...

The House of Representatives is deliberating a draft law on a national military reserve, to be ratified this year, while activists continue to question its viability.

The reserve component bill stipulates that among efforts to maintain national security the government must establish a reserve army comprising civilian troops, similar to the Singapore Army Operational Reserve or United States National Guard.

During its 99th session, the Human Rights Committee also considered the periodic report of Colombia. On the issue of conscientious objection, the Colombian delegation was requested to provide more particulars on conscientious objectors and what protections were in place for them until the law concerning this matter was adopted. The Committee referred to the ruling of the Constitutional Court, had handed down nine months ago, but there was still no written ruling.

During its 99th session, the Human Rights Committee examined the periodic report of Estonia. The issue of conscientious objection only came up briefly. The issue had been raised by War Resisters' International in a report to the Human Rights Committee. Regarding the issue of alternative service in lieu of military service and conscientious objection, the Committee asked if the delegation could inform it of the criteria used to determine approval for alternative service because the information provided in the report suggested that very few applicants were approved for alternative service.