An important step for conscientious objectors in Greece

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Statement of the International Delegation

The Naval Court Martial of Thessaloniki decided today in the case of conscientious objector Lazaros Petromelidis not to be competent for trying a conscientious objector once he has been transferred to alternative service. For the first time in Greek CO history the legal dispute has been accepted that conscientious objector cases are civil cases without further court martial involvement.

The legal measures against Lazaros Petromelidis have been lifted. The deposit paid to secure bail will be paid back, and no longer does he have to report to his local police station every second week.

The international delegation welcomes that from now on conscientious objectors won't be tried by court martial and will be under civilian jurisdiction for matters related to alternative service. The delegation hopes that this decision will finally, after 18 years, lead to an end of the persecution of conscientious objectors, such as repeated call-up, reporting to the police, withholding of passports, etc.

However, Greece still has to solve several problems in relation to the right to conscientious objection. The Greek law on conscientious objection from 1997 needs to be amended to meet European standards, as demanded by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. In particular, the punishment of conscientious objectors through punitive alternative service conditions - in terms of length, service far away from home, and payment of salaries which does not even cover basic costs of living - has to come to an end.

The international delegation expressed its commitment to continue to support conscientious objectors in Greece.


Gerd Greune, Claude Verrel: European Bureau for Conscientious Objection
Andreas Speck: War Resisters' International
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