Colombian conscientious objector arrested for desertion

Jhonatan David Vargas Becerra was forcibly recruited by the Colombian military last year. He left the army as soon as he could, and later the police issued an arrest warrant for him on grounds of desertion. He was arrested by the police on 4 September in Barrancabermeja, and is still being detained. WRI put out a CO Alert on Jhonatan's behalf, and on September 16 we heard the news that Jhonatan had been recognised as a conscientious objector by the Constitutional Court. The ruling orders the Colombian army to 'unenlist' Jhonatan within 48 hours. Jhonatan's supporters, through Justpaz, ask that we keep up the pressure to ensure this happens. Please find the new CO Alert here.

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