ISRAEL: objector Eyal Yablonko imprisoned for the second time

Eyal Yablonko, a conscientious objector in Israel, has been imprisoned yesterday for the second time.

18.5-years-old, from Jaffa, Eyal Yablonko declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army for the second time on 29th July, and was sentenced to 20 days in prison for his refusal.

You can send a protest email here.

Ignoring international standards

Repeated imprisonment is a violation of international legal standards. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in Opinion 24/2003 on Israel came to the conclusion that the repeated imprisonment of conscientious objectors in Israel is arbitrary, and therefore it constitutes a violation of 14 par 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Israel is a signatory.

Eyal Yablonko claims his human right to conscientious objection, as guaranteed by Article 18 of the ICCPR. In a decision from January 2007, the United Nations Human Rights Committee recognised the right to conscientious objection as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as guaranteed by Article 18 ICCPR.

War Resisters' International are exploring other international mechanisms that can be used to stop the repeated persecution of Eyal and other conscientious objectors.

Solidarity

You can send letters of support to:
Eyal Yablonko
Military ID 205997406
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580

Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support and encouragement via e-mail to Eyal through New Profile, at messages2prison@newprofile.org.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad. An email letter to Israel's newly appointed Minister of Defence can be sent at /node/22137.

A list of Israel's embassies abroad can be found here.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Eyal Yablonko, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Hannah Brock
War Resisters' International