In Prison Now: Prisoners for Peace List, January 2022
Below is a list of some of those currently in prison for their conscientious objection to military service and their work for peace. We include those whose addresses we can obtain, and who are happy to have their names and stories made public. In some cases, nicknames are used and 'care of' (c/o) addresses given, where that person is happy to be contacted, but does not want their contact details spread publicly.
Singapore
All following prisoners are Jehovah’s Witnesses, imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service. Usually, they receive a first sentence of 12 months (but it can be up to 15 months) and a second sentence of 18 months (but it can be up to 24 months). Therefore, the total time spent is usually 30 months (but it can be up to 39 months).
- Ca Leb (Azariah) Wa, age 21
Second term. Expected release date: 11 May 2022
- Donovan Yong, age 20
Second term. Expected release date: 30 June 2022.
- Edrenz James Ramos, age 21
Second term. Expected release date: 08 February 2023.
- Ganesh Aravind, age 24
Second term. Expected release date: 08 February 2023.
- Joshua Soon, age 26
Second term. Expected release date: 31 March 2022.
- Lie Hao Norman Sek, age 21
Second term. Expected release date: 29 March 2023.
- Nicholas Ang, age 21
Second term. Expected release date: 11 May 2022.
- Raj s/o Rajamogn Rohan, age 24
Second term. Expected release date: 08 February 2023.
- Shao Qi Koh, age 21
Second Term. Expected release date: 29 March 2023.
- Shawn Jonathan Kumar, age 23
Second Term. Expected release date: 30 June 2022.
- Yi Jie Lucas Lee, age 19
Second Term. Expected release date: 29 March 2023.
- Nicolaus Wei Ern Chong, age 20
First term. Expected release date: 15 August 2022.
- Junn Orville Yu Quiseo, age 21
First term. Expected release date: 04 October 2022.
- Ming Jie Tan age 20
First term. Expected release date: 04 October 2022.
- Won Kiat Yap, age 20
First term. Expected release date: 16 May 2022.
- Fang Zhen Lim, age 32
Refused reservist training and was sentenced to 27 weeks in prison. Expected release date: 23 June
- Anjelo C. Magdaraog, age 21
Awaiting 1st Court Martial.
For all above, write to Singapore Armed Forces Detention Barracks, 402 Lor Kebasi, 688791, Singapore
Republic of Korea
- Shim, H. S., age 26
Jehovah’s Witness. Sentence: 18 months. Expected release date: 03 June 2023. Imprisoned in Cheonan Correctional Institution.
- J.S. Jeong, age 23
Jehovah’s Witness. Sentence: 18 months. Expected release date: 30 June 2022. Imprisoned in Uijeongbu Correctional Institution.
- S.H. Choi, age 29
Jehovah’s Witness. Sentence: 18 months. Expected release date: 10 November 2022. Imprisoned in Uijeongbu Correctional Institution.
- Jeong-hoon Hong
Arrested on 8 March 2021. Sentence: 18 months. Expected release: August 2022. Imprisoned in Seoul Detention Center. (Address: #2298, 143, Anyangpangyo-ro, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea zip code 15829).
- Gyeong-taek Oh
Arrested on 12 March 2021. Sentence: 18 months. Expected release: August 2022. He has recently been transferred to Yeoju Correctional Institution. (Address: #464, 107, Yanghwa-ro, Ganameup, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea zip code 12627).
Eritrea
Eritrea continues to imprison conscientious objectors. The below are all Jehovah's Witness, imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service. Eritrea's military service is indefinite, for men and women, and starts in the final two years of high school, which is in a military camp.
- Bereket Habteyesus, age 29
Arrest date: 26 May 2014
- Henok Gebru, age 39
Arrest date: 24 January 2005
- Samuel Ghirmay, age 34
Arrest date: March 2009
- Yosief Fissehaie, age 34
Arrest date: October 2006
For all above, write to: Mai Serwa Prison, Asmara, Eritrea
U.S.A
In October 24, 2019, seven peace activists, known as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, were found guilty and charged with a range of crimes, including trespassing, depredation of government property for their protest actions at Kings Bay nuclear submarine base in Georgia on April 4, 2018. During 2020 and 2021, all activists were sentenced to serve in prison between 10 to 33 months.
The Kings Bay Plowshares support group announced that as of 23rd November 2021, all 7 activists have completed their sentences and been released. You can still write to them and send your messages of solidarity via kingsbayplowshares@gmail.com.
Read the bios of the activists here: https://kingsbayplowshares7.org/about/bios/
Israel
Eran Aviv (19) and Shahar Perets (19) have spent 114 days (in six terms) and 88 days (in four terms) behind bars respectively for their refusal to serve in the Israeli military. In November, Eran received an exemption from military service by the end of his sixth term in prison. Shahar received her exemtion after completing her fourth term in prison in January 2022.
Write to Shahar for solidarity here.
There are currently no reported conscientious objector in Israel at the moment. However, there might be other conscientious objectors jailed in the coming weeks and months. For up-to-date info follow Mesarvot and Refuser Solidarity Network as well as WRI website.
Ambazonia
There are multiple activists in Ambazonia at the moment. They are imprisoned for expressing their conscientiously held belief that the fundamental human rights of the people of Ambazonia, formerly the United Nations Trust Territory of Southern Cameroons under United Kingdom administration, needs to be respected by all — including the French neo-colonial regime in Cameroon and its allies. Below is a list of some of them.
- Mancho Bibixy (Sep ’16 —)
- Tsi Conrad (Sep ’16 —)
- Tha Emile Angwe (Sep ’16 —)
- Aselech Martin (Sep ’16 —)
- Tamngwa Martin (Sep ’16 —)
- Guingah Valentine (Sep ’16 —)
- Awah Thomas (Sep ’16 —)
- Penn Terence (Jan ’17 —)
- Mr. Wilfred Tassang (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Mr. Julius AyukTabe (5 Jan '19—)
- Profesor Augustine Awasum (5 Jan ’19—)
- Dr. Cornelius Njikimpi Kwanga (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Dr. Henry Kimeng (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Dr. Egbe Ogork (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Barrister Shufai Berinyuy (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Barrister Eyambe Elias (5 Jan ’19 —)
- Dr. Nfor Ngalla Nfor (5 Jan ’19 —)
For all above, write to, Prison Principale Kondengui Yaoundé, B. P 100, YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon
We have had a kind offer from an individual donor, who will match up to £5,000 of donations from others - so by supporting War Resisters' International today your donation is worth double!
Add new comment