Arrest of total objectors Jannes von Bestenbostel and Simon Alexander Lieberg
Use this form to send the letter below to the relevant authority (Peter Struck, Minister of Defence, Germany). You can add your own notes in a separate box after the standard text, if you wish.
You must include a name, address, and email address; a copy will be sent to you with a cc to the WRI office (so we have a record of how many email letters have been sent out for this particular case).
Dear Mr Peter Struck, Minister of Defence
I am concerned about the military arrest of total objectors Jannes von Bestenbostel and Simon Alexander Lieberg. Both refuse to serve in the military, but also refuse to apply for the recognised conscientious objection, as this would require them to perform a substitute service, which they refuse too. They see substitute service as an alternative war service, and therefore have a conscientious objection to substitute service.
I'm especially concerned about the likelihood of repeated arrest, and then punishment, for both total objectors. I want to draw your attention to the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which stated in 1999 that repeated imrprisonment of conscientious objectors is arbitrary, being contrary to article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I therefore urge you to immediately release all imprisoned conscientious objectors. I urge you to respect human rights.
- Sign and send this protest email