Estonia https://wri-irg.org/en en Estonia, Latvia and Finland to develop land-based drones https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2018/estonia-latvia-and-finland-develop-land-based-drones <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--41571.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="41571" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 17 Aug 2018</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>As part of the European Union's Permanent Structure Cooperation framework (PESCO), Estonia, Latvia and Finland are planning to <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/08/02/these-baltic-nations-could-build-europes-next-ground-drone/">develop land-based drones</a> to be used for planning and reconnaissance. Germany, France and Belgium have also expressed interest in<a href="https://www.baltictimes.com/estonia__finland__latvia_looking_to_develop_unmanned_land_systems_in_framework_of_pesco/"> joining</a> the project, which is expected to begin in mid-2019. The system will include a land vehicle, an autonomous control system, cyber defence, and integrated sensors.</p> <p>Between €30-40 million has been earmarked by the EU for the development, as part of the European Defence Fund, with participating countries also expected to contribute financially. The goal of the project is “to develop a solution for unmanned land systems, which would become the European standard”, according to Kusti Salm, the director of the defense investments at the Estonian Ministry of Defence. Defense News speculated that Estonian arms company Milrem would be involved in the project – Milrem have recently developed the TheMIS unmanned drone.</p> <p>PESCO was launched in 2017, and aims to help develop European-wide defence industries, and is one strand of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, which aims to bring closer cooperation between the different militaries of EU countries.</p> <p><a name="Disproportionate influence" id="Disproportionate influence"></a>Under PESCO, groups of countries can propose developments to EU together, receiving funding for projects that allow for greater military cooperation between different EU states. A 2017 press release from The Council of the European Union explains “This permanent framework for defence cooperation will allow those member states willing and able to jointly develop defence capabilities, invest in shared projects, or enhance the operational readiness and contribution of their armed forces.” <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/pesco-eu-army-one-step-closer-after-defense-pact-agreement/a-41741828">Other projects planned under PESCO</a> include:</p> <ul><li>a pan-European military training centre,</li> <li>common standards for military radio communication,</li> <li>the creation of a German-led European medical unit and logistics hub,</li> <li>intelligence exchanges on cyber threats,</li> <li>submarine drones.</li> </ul></div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-programmes-projects--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-programmes-projects--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--expert--field-programmes-projects--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-programmes-projects--story.html.twig * field--node--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Programmes &amp; Projects</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/programme/war-profiteers" hreflang="en">War Profiteers</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/246" hreflang="en">Latvia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/155" hreflang="en">Finland</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/48" hreflang="en">European Union (EU)</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=41571&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="ArG9C12HEYoZTPiqaCiHadDdInDEpi91OCJU0BD1tF8"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Fri, 17 Aug 2018 11:33:52 +0000 Andrew 41571 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2018/estonia-latvia-and-finland-develop-land-based-drones#comments Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Estonia https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2011/report-working-group-universal-periodic-review-estonia <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--20863.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="20863" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 28 Mar 2011</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>A/HRC/17/17</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>58. Slovakia (...) noted the (...) lack of clear grounds for accepting or rejecting an application for an alternative to military service. Slovakia made recommendations.</p> <p>(...)</p> <h3>II. Conclusions and/or recommendations</h3> <p>77. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue and listed below have been examined by and enjoy the support of Estonia.</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>77.77. Ensure that the right of conscientious objection to military service is upheld, and clarify the grounds for acceptance or rejection of such claims (Slovakia);</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G11/123/58/PDF/G1112358.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G11/123/58/PDF/G1112358.pdf?…</a></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/64" hreflang="en">International Law</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/438" hreflang="en">Universal Periodic Review (UPR)</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=20863&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="Vv7mWhfEkEpLJaAxYRIhfdHNdDxnQmfvzPuXJz4gP5Y"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000 warresisters 20863 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2011/report-working-group-universal-periodic-review-estonia#comments Estonia: Human Rights Committee of the United Nations demands clarifications on conscientious objection https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2010/estonia-human-rights-committee-united-nations-demands-clarifications-conscientious <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--10674.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="10674" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 05 Aug 2010</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>During its 99th session, the Human Rights Committee examined the periodic report of Estonia. The issue of conscientious objection only came up briefly. The issue had been raised by War Resisters' International in a report to the Human Rights Committee. Regarding the issue of alternative service in lieu of military service and conscientious objection, the Committee asked if the delegation could inform it of the criteria used to determine approval for alternative service because the information provided in the report suggested that very few applicants were approved for alternative service.</p> <p>According to the press release, the reply of the Estonian delegation was: "<em>Turning to conscientious objection, the delegation said that one of the reasons that only 11 of 64 applications had been approved was that alternative service lasted longer than military service so many people eventually opted to go into the military. Also, the State had to be sure that people were truly conscientious objectors and not just saying that to get out of military service.</em>"</p> <p>In its Concluding Observations, the Human Rights Committee said:<br /> "<em>14. The Committee is concerned that few applications for alternative to military service have been approved during the last few years (11 of 64 in 2007, 14 of 68 in 2008, 32 of 53 in 2009). It is also concerned about the lack of clear grounds for accepting or rejecting an application for alternative to military service (art. 18, 26).</em></p> <p><em>The State party should clarify the grounds under which applications to alternative to military service are accepted or rejected and take relevant measures to ensure that the right of conscientious objection is upheld.</em>"</p> <p><em>Sources</em>: War Resisters' International: <a href="/programmes/world_survey/country_report/en/Estonia">Country report and updates: Estonia</a>, 23 October 2008; Human Rights Committee: <a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.CO.3_en.doc">Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 40 of the Covenant. Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee - Estonia, CCPR/C/EST/CO/3</a>, 28 July 2010; Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights: <a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10206&amp;LangID=E">Human Rights Committee considers report of Estonia</a>, 13 July 2010</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/49" hreflang="en">UN Human Rights Committee</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10674&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="KGk6AbrYS3b7sSX8sn_CULvdTawEoy3gkh9otzKdhe4"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:04:00 +0000 warresisters 10674 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2010/estonia-human-rights-committee-united-nations-demands-clarifications-conscientious#comments Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee: Estonia https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2010/concluding-observations-human-rights-committee-estonia <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--10662.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="10662" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 28 Jul 2010</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Human Rights Committee<br /> Ninety-ninth session<br /> Geneva, 12-30 July 2010</p> <p>Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 40 of the Covenant<br /> Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee<br /> Estonia</p> <p>CCPR/C/EST/CO/3</p> <p>Distr.: General<br /> 28 July 2010</p> <p>Original: English</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>14. The Committee is concerned that few applications for alternative to military service have been approved during the last few years (11 of 64 in 2007, 14 of 68 in 2008, 32 of 53 in 2009). It is also concerned about the lack of clear grounds for accepting or rejecting an application for alternative to military service (art. 18, 26).</p> <p>The State party should clarify the grounds under which applications to alternative to military service are accepted or rejected and take relevant measures to ensure that the right of conscientious objection is upheld. </p> <p>(...)</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.CO.3_en.doc">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.CO.3_en.doc</a></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/440" hreflang="en">Concluding observations</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/49" hreflang="en">UN Human Rights Committee</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10662&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="0T2EjwAXt14gXDbmFamlc5iZlQjzbwLKdPtFdlA4xHw"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0000 warresisters 10662 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2010/concluding-observations-human-rights-committee-estonia#comments Conscientious objection: Legal practices and frameworks among EU member states https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2009/conscientious-objection-legal-practices-and-frameworks-among-eu-member-states <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--6484.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="6484" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 15 Jan 2009</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><!--break--><h3>Presentation for the Subcommittee on Security and Defence of the European<br /> Parliament</h3> <p>by Andreas Speck, Right to Refuse to Kill Programme, War Resisters' International<br /><br /><br /><br /></p> <p></p><h2>1. Introduction</h2> <p></p><p>In this presentation I<br /> will give an overview of the right to conscientious objection, its<br /> legal practices and frameworks in the 27 European Union member<br /> states. Before I do so, I want to step back a bit and have a brief<br /> look at the existing international standards about the right to<br /> conscientious objection, as these standards allow us to put the<br /> practices in the EU member states into a perspective.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>► Conscientious objection as a right</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">It is now accepted that<br /> the right to conscientious objection is protected under the right to<br /> freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 18 <i>International<br /> Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</i>, Article 9 of the <i>European<br /> Convention of Human Rights</i>), and seen as a legitimate exercise of<br /> this right<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote1anc" href="#sdfootnote1sym" id="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br /> The former United Nations Commission on Human Rights has reiterated<br /> this right in several resolutions since 1987<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote2anc" href="#sdfootnote2sym" id="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a>.<br /> If there have been any doubts in the past, then the decision of the<br /> United Nations <i>Human Rights Committee</i> from January 2007 on two<br /> individual complaints from South Korea certainly clarified the<br /> issue<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote3anc" href="#sdfootnote3sym" id="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a>.<br /> Subsequently, the United Nations <i>Working Group on Arbitrary<br /> Detention</i> classified any imprisonment of a conscientious objector<br /> as a form of arbitrary detention<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote4anc" href="#sdfootnote4sym" id="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a>,<br /> while previously it only saw the second and any subsequent<br /> imprisonment as arbitrary detention.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">It is important to note<br /> that article 18(1) of the Covenant, which covers both the right to<br /> freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to manifest it, is<br /> non-derogable even during times of national emergency threatening the<br /> life of the nation.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">While there has been<br /> some jurisprudence at the level of the United Nations <i>Human Rights<br /> Committee</i>, the <i>European Court of Human Rights</i> has so far<br /> shied away from ruling on the question whether article 9 of the<br /> European Convention of Human Rights includes the right to<br /> conscientious objection<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote5anc" href="#sdfootnote5sym" id="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a>.<br /> It is hard to imagine that following the Human Rights Committee<br /> decision from 23 January 2007, the ECHR would not rule in a similar<br /> manner to the Human Rights Committee in a future case.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Although the right to<br /> conscientious objection is derived from the right to freedom of<br /> thought, conscience and religion, it is clear that it is not limited<br /> to religious convictions. According to the Human Rights Committee's<br /> General Comment No 22, “<i>article 18 protects theistic,<br /> non-theistic and atheistic beliefs</i>”. In fact, the Human Rights<br /> Committee repeatedly recommended to States in its Concluding<br /> Observations “<i>extend the right of conscientious objection<br /> against mandatory military service to persons who hold non-religious<br /> beliefs grounded in conscience</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote6anc" href="#sdfootnote6sym" id="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The question of<br /> “selective” conscientious objection, not to war in general but to<br /> a particular war, has not been dealt with very much. However, the<br /> United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 33/165 from 20<br /> December 1978, recognised “<i>the right of all persons to refuse<br /> service in military or police forces which are used to enforce<br /> apartheid</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote7anc" href="#sdfootnote7sym" id="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">It is also important to<br /> note that it is not allowed to exclude groups of people from the<br /> right to conscientious objection, for example for having a gun<br /> license or other reasons.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>► Right to conscientious objection at any time – before, during and after<br /> service</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Another important<br /> aspect is when an application for conscientious objection can be<br /> made. The general freedom to change one's religion or belief is<br /> recognised in Article 18(1) of the Covenant. Thus, the Human Rights<br /> Committee recognised in its Concluding Observations on Chile, that<br /> “<i>conscientious objection can </i><i>occur at any time, even when<br /> a person’s military service has already begun</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote8anc" href="#sdfootnote8sym" id="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a>.<br /> The Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 1998/77 highlighted<br /> “<i>that persons performing military service may develop<br /> conscientious objections</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote9anc" href="#sdfootnote9sym" id="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a>.<br /> The European Parliament, in its resolution from 13 October 1989,<br /> called “<i>for the right to be granted to all conscripts at any<br /> time to refuse military service, whether armed or unarmed, on grounds<br /> of conscience</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote10anc" href="#sdfootnote10sym" id="sdfootnote10anc"><sup>10</sup></a>.<br /> In its 1994 resolution, the European Parliament explicitly called “<i>on<br /> the Member States of the European Union which do not have (or no<br /> longer have) conscription and military and civilian service<br /> nevertheless to guarantee the fundamental right of conscientious<br /> objection</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote11anc" href="#sdfootnote11sym" id="sdfootnote11anc"><sup>11</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><i>Council of Europe<br /> Parliamentary Assembly</i> Recommendation 1518 (2001) explicitly<br /> recognised “<i>the right to be registered as a conscientious<br /> objector at any time: before, during or after conscription, or<br /> performance of military service</i>” and “<i>the right for<br /> permanent members of the armed forces to apply for the granting of<br /> conscientious objector status</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote12anc" href="#sdfootnote12sym" id="sdfootnote12anc"><sup>12</sup></a>.<br /> The Parliamentary Assembly also demanded from member states on 24<br /> March 2006 in a decision on human rights in the Armed Forces to<br /> “<i>introduce into their legislation the right to be registered as<br /> a conscientious objector at any time, namely before, during or after<br /> implementation of military service, as well as the right of career<br /> servicemen to obtain the status of conscientious objector</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote13anc" href="#sdfootnote13sym" id="sdfootnote13anc"><sup>13</sup></a>.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>► Impartial decision making procedure</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The United Nations<br /> Commission on Human Rights has welcomed “<i>the fact that some<br /> States accept claims of conscientious objection as valid without<br /> inquiry</i>”, and called for “<i>independent and impartial<br /> decision-making bodies</i>” where this is not the case<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote14anc" href="#sdfootnote14sym" id="sdfootnote14anc"><sup>14</sup></a>.<br /> More concretely, it has expressed its concern that “<i>the<br /> assessment of applications for such service is solely under the<br /> control of the Ministry of Defence</i>”. It therefore recommended<br /> “<i>placing the assessment of applications for conscientious<br /> objector status under the control of civilian authorities</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote15anc" href="#sdfootnote15sym" id="sdfootnote15anc"><sup>15</sup></a>.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>► Non-punitive substitute service</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">It first has to be<br /> noted that there does not have to be a substitute service. However,<br /> if a state decides to require a substitute service from conscientious<br /> objectors, then this substitute service has to be compatible with the<br /> reasons for the conscientious objection, of civilian character, in<br /> the public interest and not of a punitive nature. The term “punitive”<br /> covers not only the duration of substitute service, but also the type<br /> of service and the conditions under which it is served.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In terms of length of<br /> substitute service, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has<br /> made clear in <i>Foin v. France</i> that any difference in length<br /> must be “<i>based on reasonable and objective criteria, such as the<br /> nature of the specific service concerned, or the need for a special<br /> training in order to accomplish that service</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote16anc" href="#sdfootnote16sym" id="sdfootnote16anc"><sup>16</sup></a>.<br /> This means that any general difference in length, as is the practice<br /> in many countries, is not permitted.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>► Provision of information</h3> <p></p><p>It<br /> is obvious that the provision of information about a right is crucial<br /> for people to make use of that right. Therefore, the United Nations<br /> Commission on Human Rights affirmed in its resolution 1998/77 “<i>the<br /> importance of the availability of information about the right to<br /> conscientious objection to military service, and the means of<br /> acquiring conscientious objector status, to all persons affected by<br /> military service</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote17anc" href="#sdfootnote17sym" id="sdfootnote17anc"><sup>17</sup></a>.</p><br /><p>Council<br /> of Europe Recommendation No. R (87) 8 says that “<i>persons liable<br /> to conscription shall be informed in advance of their rights. For<br /> this purpose, the state shall provide them with all relevant<br /> information directly or allow private organizations concerned to<br /> furnish that information</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote18anc" href="#sdfootnote18sym" id="sdfootnote18anc"><sup>18</sup></a>.</p><br /><br /><br /><h2>2. Practice in European Union member states</h2> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">From the 27 European<br /> Union member states, 10 presently maintain conscription, although of<br /> these two – Poland and Sweden – are presently in the process of<br /> suspending conscription. However, most countries that did have<br /> conscription in the recent past did not just abolish it, but mainly<br /> suspended to enforce conscription. In most cases these countries<br /> maintain laws and regulations which allow to enforce conscription<br /> under certain circumstances, i.e. in situations of war or an<br /> emergency.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Presently, all<br /> countries of the European Union that maintain conscription do provide<br /> for the right to conscientious objection in some form. However, this<br /> does not mean that this would comply with the international standards<br /> set out in the introduction.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><i>Table 1: Overview:<br /> conscription and the right to conscientious objection in the European<br /> Union</i></p> <p></p><table frame="VOID" cellspacing="0" cols="5" rules="NONE" border="0"><br /><colgroup><col width="170" /><col width="125" /><col width="114" /><col width="128" /><col width="153" /></colgroup><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" rowspan="2" width="170" height="55" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Country</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" rowspan="2" width="125" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Conscription</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" colspan="2" width="242" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>CO for conscripts</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" rowspan="2" width="153" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>CO for professional soldiers</b></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><b>before military service</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><b>during and after military service</b></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Austria</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Belgium</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Bulgaria</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Cyprus</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Czech Republic</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Denmark</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Estonia</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Finland</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">France</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><br /></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Germany</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Greece</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Hungary</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Ireland</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Italy</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><br /></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Latvia</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><br /></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Lithuania</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Luxembourg</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Malta</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Netherlands</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Poland</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Portugal</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Romania</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Slovakia</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Slovenia</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Spain</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Suspended</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER"><br /></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">Sweden</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT">United Kingdom</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">No</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">n.a.</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER">Yes</td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><p align="right">War Resisters' International 2008</p> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">A more detailed look is<br /> provided in Table 2. However, in some cases, the details as<br /> prescribed by law are not known.<br /></p> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In several EU Member<br /> States not everyone has a right to conscientious objection. In some<br /> countries, such as Greece, certain groups cannot apply for<br /> conscientious objector status. In Greece, anyone having a gun license<br /> or with a criminal record cannot apply for conscientious objection.<br /> In Estonia, the situation is a bit unclear, but the wording of the<br /> law makes it likely that conscientious objection is only recognised<br /> for religious reasons. The same applies for Lithuania.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In Poland, the right to<br /> conscientious objection is only available in times of peace.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In many countries, the<br /> right to conscientious objection is not available at any time. As<br /> Table 1 shows, this right is often not available during or after<br /> military service. Often, there are strict time limits for the<br /> submission of an application for conscientious objection, which again<br /> limits this right.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: always"><br /><i>Table 2: Practice right to conscientious objection in countries<br /> which enforce conscription</i></p><br /><table frame="VOID" cellspacing="0" cols="6" rules="NONE" border="0"><br /><colgroup><col width="145" /><col width="125" /><col width="106" /><col width="100" /><col width="110" /><col width="170" /></colgroup><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td width="145" height="32" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b><br /></b></td><br /><td width="125" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Right to CO</b></td><br /><td width="106" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>At any time?</b></td><br /><td width="100" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Impartial decision making</b></td><br /><td width="110" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Substitute service</b></td><br /><td width="170" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Other</b></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="32" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Austria</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Problem of low payments for CO in substitute service</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Cyprus</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE">?</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Denmark</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="47" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Estonia</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE">?</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Not clear whether substitute service is genuinely civilian</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="32" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Finland</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Imprisonment of total objectors</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="47" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Germany</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Repeated disciplinary punishment of total objectors</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="47" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Greece</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Especially problems with old cases (Lazaros Petromelidis)</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Lithuania</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE">?</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Poland *)</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔ ()</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol"></font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" height="32" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE"><b>Sweden **)</b></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><font face="OpenSymbol">✔</font></td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE">-</td><br /><td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Presently no substitute service</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td colspan="6" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">*) Conscription will be suspended in 2009</td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td colspan="6" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">**) Conscription under review, likely to be suspended</td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><p class="western" align="RIGHT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">War<br /> Resisters' International, 2009</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The decision making<br /> procedure is another issue of concern. In many countries, an<br /> application will be decided by the Ministry of Defence or some<br /> administration under the Ministry of Defence. While in Finland for<br /> example all applications are more or less automatically granted<br /> without examination, and therefore it does not create a problem, in<br /> countries where there is some examination of the reasons given for<br /> conscientious objection, this is much more problematic. In Greece,<br /> non-religious conscientious objectors for example have difficulties<br /> getting recognised by the Ministry of Defence. In Poland, the rate of<br /> accepted CO applications is low, compared to other countries. Only<br /> about 60% of CO applications are granted<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote19anc" href="#sdfootnote19sym" id="sdfootnote19anc"><sup>19</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Problematic is<br /> especially the issue of substitute service for conscientious<br /> objectors. In most countries – with the exception of Denmark and<br /> Germany – substitute service is longer than military service,<br /> sometimes considerably longer. The European Committee on Social<br /> Rights complained about the length of substitute service in the cases<br /> of Cyprus<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote20anc" href="#sdfootnote20sym" id="sdfootnote20anc"><sup>20</sup></a>,<br /> Estonia<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote21anc" href="#sdfootnote21sym" id="sdfootnote21anc"><sup>21</sup></a>,<br /> Greece<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote22anc" href="#sdfootnote22sym" id="sdfootnote22anc"><sup>22</sup></a>,<br /> and Finland<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote23anc" href="#sdfootnote23sym" id="sdfootnote23anc"><sup>23</sup></a>.<br /> Also the United Nations Human Rights Committee has repeatedly<br /> complained about the length of substitute service<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote24anc" href="#sdfootnote24sym" id="sdfootnote24anc"><sup>24</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">While the Euopean<br /> Committee for Social Rights considers a substitute service of 1.5<br /> times the length of military service as in compliance with the<br /> European Social Charta, the United Nations Human Rights Committee<br /> also considers a substitute service of 1.5 times the length of<br /> military service as punitive in length<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote25anc" href="#sdfootnote25sym" id="sdfootnote25anc"><sup>25</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In some European Union<br /> Member states conscientious objectors face prosecution and<br /> imprisonment. In the case of Greece, this is especially case for some<br /> cases of conscientious objectors going back to the time before Greece<br /> introduced the right to conscientious objection (i.e. the case of<br /> Lazaros Petromelidis<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote26anc" href="#sdfootnote26sym" id="sdfootnote26anc"><sup>26</sup></a>),<br /> or for conscientious objectors who are not recognised.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In Finland, total<br /> objectors, who refuse substitute service for a variety of reasons,<br /> among them often the punitive length of substitute service, are<br /> routinely imprisoned for half the time they would have had to serve.<br /> According to the Union of COs Finland, there are about 60-80 cases<br /> every year.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In Germany, total<br /> objectors face repeated disciplinary punishment by the military<br /> authorities, often 3-4 terms of imprisonment up to a total of 63<br /> days. According to a decree of the Ministry of Defence from 21 April<br /> 2008<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote27anc" href="#sdfootnote27sym" id="sdfootnote27anc"><sup>27</sup></a>,<br /> total objectors should not be released from the military before they<br /> have not served at least two arrests of 21 days each. This decree is<br /> a clear violation of Article 14, paragraph 7 of the International<br /> Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits the repeated<br /> punishment for the same offence<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote28anc" href="#sdfootnote28sym" id="sdfootnote28anc"><sup>28</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><h2 class="western">3. Conscientious objection for professional<br /> soldiers</h2> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">As stated in the<br /> overview, only three European Union Member states – Germany, the<br /> Netherlands, and the United Kingdom – recognise the right to<br /> conscientious objection for professional soldiers.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><h3>Countries without the right to conscientious<br /> objection for professional soldiers</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In countries where<br /> professional soldiers do not have the right to conscientious<br /> objection, it is likely that those wishing to leave the Armed Forces<br /> for reasons of conscience might seek other ways to get a discharge.<br /> However, these other ways rarely constitute a right to be discharged,<br /> especially in situations of war or an emergency.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The Greek case of<br /><i>Giorgios Monastiriotis</i><a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote29anc" href="#sdfootnote29sym" id="sdfootnote29anc"><sup>29</sup></a>,<br /> who initially signed up to the Greek navy on a five year contract,<br /> highlights the problems. In May 2003 <i>Giorgos Monstaritiotis</i><br /> refused to embark with the crew of the battleship "Navarino"<br /> on a mission to the Persian Gulf. He declared his immediate<br /> resignation from the Navy instead. The Navarino was sailing to the<br /> Persian Gulf as part of operation "Enduring Freedom".<br /><i>Giorgos Monastiriotis</i> gave the following statement prior to<br /> his refusal in May 2003: "<i>Acting on the basis of my<br /> conscience, I refuse to take part or contribute by any means in the<br /> relentless slaughter of the Iraqi people. I refuse to take part in a<br /> war that is not ended, as even now after its official end people and<br /> among them many children are being killed. Even if this war is<br /> officially finished, many more are to come, as war is necessary for<br /> the expansion of the dominance of the ruling powers. I declare my<br /> immediate resignation from the Hellenic Navy, which is a mechanism<br /> that promotes inhuman practices through orders and hierarchy and acts<br /> as a means of extortion and repression of the movement and the<br /> uprisings of the people. My refusal is also the minimal act of<br /> solidarity due to the Iraqi people and to the peaceful sentiments of<br /> the Greek people.</i>"</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">As Greece does not<br /> recognise the right to conscientious objection for professional<br /> soldiers, <i>Giorgios Monastiriotis</i> had no other options than to<br /> simply declare his conscientious objection. What followed were<br /> several trials and prison sentences, and also new call-ups to<br /> military service<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote30anc" href="#sdfootnote30sym" id="sdfootnote30anc"><sup>30</sup></a>.<br /> Giorgios Monastiriotis has been sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment,<br /> suspended for three years, on 31 October 2006, and even today has<br /> still an open case for desertion, following a third call-up to<br /> military service<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote31anc" href="#sdfootnote31sym" id="sdfootnote31anc"><sup>31</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The situation is<br /> slightly different in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United<br /> Kingdom, the three countries that recognise the right to<br /> conscientious objection for professional soldiers. However, in these<br /> countries too the situation is not without problems.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>Netherlands</h3><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In the Netherlands, the<br /> legal basis for the right to conscientious objection for professional<br /> soldiers is only a decree of the Ministry of Defence from 1 January<br /> 1994<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote32anc" href="#sdfootnote32sym" id="sdfootnote32anc"><sup>32</sup></a>,<br /> which extends the law on conscientious objection, which only applies<br /> to conscripts, also to professional soldiers. It is important to note<br /> that according to the Ministry of Defence in 2004, professional<br /> soldiers who have a conscientious objection to particular campaigns<br /> of the armed forces, for example deployment in Iraq, do not have the<br /> right to claim conscientious objection to participation in these<br /> particular campaigns<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote33anc" href="#sdfootnote33sym" id="sdfootnote33anc"><sup>33</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In practice, there have<br /> been several trials against soldiers refusing to deploy to<br /> Afghanistan. In 2007 the appeal court in Arnhem acquitted a soldier<br /> who refused to deploy to Afghanistan, after he had initially been<br /> sentenced to two months imprisonment. There was also a second case of<br /> refusal, which lead to a prosecution. However, a second person has<br /> also been finally acquitted in December 2007<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote34anc" href="#sdfootnote34sym" id="sdfootnote34anc"><sup>34</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Presently, War<br /> Resisters' International is not aware of any statistics on the number<br /> of applications for a discharge as conscientious objector in the<br /> Netherlands.</p><br /><br /><br /><h3>Germany</h3> <p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In Germany, the right<br /> to conscientious objection applies equally to conscripts and<br /> professional soldiers.<br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><i>Table 3:<br /> Conscientious objection – applications from soldiers since 2001</i></p><br /><table width="100%" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"><br /><col width="52*" /><br /><col width="34*" /><br /><col width="33*" /><br /><col width="34*" /><br /><col width="34*" /><br /><col width="34*" /><br /><col width="37*" /><br /><tr valign="TOP"><br /><td width="20%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western"><br /><br /></p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2001</b></p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2002</b></p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2003</b></p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2004</b></p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2005</b></p><br /></td><br /><td width="14%" bgcolor="#000000"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER"><b>2006</b></p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td width="20%" valign="TOP"><br /><p class="western">Conscripts</p><br /><p class="western">/voluntary military service</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2386</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2242</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1669</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1861</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1568</p><br /></td><br /><td width="14%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2203</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td width="20%" valign="TOP"><br /><p class="western">Contract soldiers</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">62</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">79</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">71</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">73</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">70</p><br /></td><br /><td width="14%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">65</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td width="20%" valign="TOP"><br /><p class="western">Professional soldiers</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">0</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">0</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1</p><br /></td><br /><td width="14%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td width="20%" valign="TOP"><br /><p class="western">Total</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2448</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2322</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1740</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1936</p><br /></td><br /><td width="13%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">1639</p><br /></td><br /><td width="14%"><br /><p class="western" align="CENTER">2269</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /></table><br /><p class="western" align="RIGHT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Source:<br /> Antwort des Parlamentarischen Staatssekretärs Thomas Kossendey, 9<br /> May 2007<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote35anc" href="#sdfootnote35sym" id="sdfootnote35anc"><sup>35</sup></a></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Problematic<br /> is especially that the military authorities regard a release from the<br /> armed forces which is based on conscientious objection as a release<br /> on someone's own initiative. This means that a professional soldier<br /> who has been recognised as a conscientious objector needs to pay back<br /> the costs of any courses that (s)he has followed in the military and<br /> that have a civilian use. This can lead to a considerable financial<br /> burden, almost making it impossible to leave the Armed Forces.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The case of<br /> Florian Pfaff highlighted another problem with the right to<br /> conscientious objection. However, as Florian Pfaff did not claim<br /> conscientious objection, but refused an order that he regarded as<br /> illegal, his case falls more under the category of the right to<br /> refuse illegal orders. In its judgement, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht<br /> however acquitted Florian Pfaff based on freedom of conscience. The<br /> Bundesverwaltungsgericht stated in its judgement: “<i>A soldier<br /> does not have to carry out an order, on the ground that it is<br /> unreasonable, if he can invoke protection of the fundamental right to<br /> freedom of conscience (Article 4(1) of the Basic Law). The protection<br /> afforded by Article 4(1) of the Basic Law is not overridden by the<br /> fundamental right to recognition as a conscientious objector (Article<br /> 4(3) of the Basic Law).</i>” And: “<i>If (...) the soldier still<br /> maintains that his conscience will not allow him to carry out the<br /> order, and if this is understandable in the sense described earlier,<br /> then a compromise must be reached which protects both sides (use<br /> elsewhere, transfer, reassignment, etc.).</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote36anc" href="#sdfootnote36sym" id="sdfootnote36anc"><sup>36</sup></a></p><br /><br /><br /><h3>United Kingdom</h3> <p></p><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">In the<br /> United Kingdom, each of the three branches of the Armed Forces has<br /> its own regulations governing the right to conscientious objection.<br /> Especially problematic is that the regulations governing the right to<br /> conscientious objection are not in the public domain, and information<br /> is difficult to obtain by members of the public, and also by members<br /> of the Armed Forces. In addition, decision making on an application<br /> for conscientious objection in the first instance is by the<br /> respective branch of the Armed Forces itself, and not by an<br /> independent body. Only the appeal body – the Advisory Committee on<br /> Conscientious Objectors – is an independent body.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The<br /> regulations are:</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><ul><br /><li><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Instruction<br /> 006 – Retirement or Discharge on Grounds of Conscience for the<br /> Army, including the Territorial Army;</p><br /></li><li><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">AP3392<br /> Vol 5. Leaflet 113, Procedure for Dealing with Conscientious<br /> Objectors within the Royal Air Force for the Air Force;</p><br /></li><li><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Personnel,<br /> Legal, Administrative and General Orders 0801, Application for<br /> Discharge on Grounds of Conscientious Objection for the Navy.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"></p><br /></li></ul><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">While the<br /> application procedure is similar for the three branches of the Armed<br /> Forces, there are also important differences.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">It has to be<br /> pointed out that for all three services an application for discharge<br /> on grounds of conscience does not prevent deployment. During the time<br /> the application is being processed, the applicant remains a member of<br /> the Armed Forces with all duties this implies. There is no right to<br /> ask for service without arms during the processing of the CO<br /> application.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">The<br /> regulations for the Royal Air Force also do not allow an application<br /> for conscientious objection from a soldier who is absent without<br /> leave or a deserter, or subject of outstanding disciplinary action.<br /> This is problematic as it is not uncommon for conscientious objectors<br /> to go absent without leave for a short period, as especially<br /> experience from the United States of America shows.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">There are<br /> very few cases of conscientious objection in the UK Armed Forces<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote37anc" href="#sdfootnote37sym" id="sdfootnote37anc"><sup>37</sup></a>.<br /> One explanation for this is the lack of information. This lack of<br /> access to and knowledge about the right to conscientious objection<br /> has also been an issue in the case of reservist Leading Aircraftsman<br /> Mohisin Khan, who went absent without leave when recalled for<br /> service. He claimed that he was not aware of the right to<br /> conscientious objection. In its judgement, the High Court says “<i>It<br /> is, however, true that the call-out materials in this case, like the<br /> 1997 Regulations, do not mention conscientious objection expressly.<br /> In that respect, it would seem that the information provided to the<br /> recalled reservist could be improved</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote38anc" href="#sdfootnote38sym" id="sdfootnote38anc"><sup>38</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">According to<br /> military law expert Gilbert Blades, who represents soldiers at courts<br /> martial, the numbers leaving because of Iraq are often obscured as<br /> they were not counted as conscientious objectors<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote39anc" href="#sdfootnote39sym" id="sdfootnote39anc"><sup>39</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Two<br /> high-profile cases of Iraq war resisters underline this point.<br /> Benjamin Griffin, a former SAS soldier, refused to return to Iraq<br /> while on leave in March 2005 after three month of service in Baghdad.<br /> Unexpectedly, he was discharged from the army “<i>with a glowing<br /> testimonial</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote40anc" href="#sdfootnote40sym" id="sdfootnote40anc"><sup>40</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Malcolm<br /> Kendall-Smith, a medical officer in the Royal Air Force, fared less<br /> well. He refused to serve in Iraq in July 2005, and was subsequently<br /> court-martialed, and sentenced to eight month imprisonment, plus a<br /> discharge from the Air Force<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote41anc" href="#sdfootnote41sym" id="sdfootnote41anc"><sup>41</sup></a>.</p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Both cases<br /> are again on the borderline to the right to refuse illegal orders.<br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><h2>4. Conclusions</h2> <p></p><p class="western">While all European Union Member states that<br /> practice conscription recognise the right to conscientious objection<br /> for conscripts, the implementation of this right is in most cases not<br /> compliant with the international standards as set out by United<br /> Nations bodies, the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament.</p><br /><p class="western">Only very few countries accept an application for<br /> conscientious objection at any time – before, during and after<br /> military service – and in many cases the decision making procedure<br /> is not impartial. Also, in many cases the substitute service is of<br /> punitive length.</p><br /><p class="western">Regarding the right to conscientious objection for<br /> professional soldiers, the situation is even worse. Only three out of<br /> the 27 European Union Member states recognise the right to<br /> conscientious objection for professional soldiers. Also in these<br /> three countries, there are still a range of problems in practice.</p><br /><p class="western"><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p class="western" align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><br /><br /></p><br /><div id="sdfootnote1"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote1sym" href="#sdfootnote1anc" id="sdfootnote1sym">1</a>Human<br /> Rights Committee: General Comment 22 on Article 18, 30 June 1993,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6410">http://wri-irg.org/node/6410</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote2"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote2sym" href="#sdfootnote2anc" id="sdfootnote2sym">2</a>See<br /> for example <i>Commission on Human Rights</i> resolutions 1987/73<br /> from 5 March 1987, 1989/59 from 8 March 1989<br /> (<a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6409">http://wri-irg.org/node/6409</a>),<br /> 1998/77 from 22 April 1998 (<a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6136">http://wri-irg.org/node/6136</a>),<br /> 2000/34 from 20 April 2000 (<a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6418">http://wri-irg.org/node/6418</a>),<br /> 2002/45 from 23 April 2002 (<a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6415">http://wri-irg.org/node/6415</a>),<br /> and 2004/35 from 19 April 2004 (<a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6412">http://wri-irg.org/node/6412</a>)</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote3"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote3sym" href="#sdfootnote3anc" id="sdfootnote3sym">3</a>Mr.<br /> Yeo-Bum Yoon and Mr. Myung-Jin Choi vs Republic of Korea,<br /> Communications Nos. 1321/2004 and 1322/2004 : Republic of Korea.<br /> 23/01/2007. CCPR/C/88/D/1321-1322/2004. (Jurisprudence),<br /><a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/26a8e9722d0cdadac1257279004c1b4e?Opendocument">http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/26a8e9722d0cdadac1257279004c1b4e?Opendocument</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote4"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote4sym" href="#sdfootnote4anc" id="sdfootnote4sym">4</a>OPINION<br /> No.8/2008 (Colombia), 9 May 2008,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/news/2008/colombia-opinion-es.htm">http://wri-irg.org/news/2008/colombia-opinion-es.htm</a>,<br /> Opinion No. 16/2008 (Turkey), 8 May 2008,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/272">http://wri-irg.org/node/272</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote5"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote5sym" href="#sdfootnote5anc" id="sdfootnote5sym">5</a>In<br /> its judgement in the case <font face="Liberation Sans, sans-serif"><i>Ü</i></font><font face="Liberation Sans"><i>lke<br /> v. Turkey</i></font><font face="Liberation Sans"> (39437/98) from 26<br /> January 2006, the court ruled in favour of </font><font face="Liberation Sans, sans-serif">Ü</font><font face="Liberation Sans">lke<br /> on the grounds of article 3 of the European Convention. However,<br /> regarding a violation of article 9, the court said in its judgement<br /> “</font><font face="Liberation Sans"><i>that it is not necessary<br /> to give a separate ruling on the complaints under Articles 5, 8 and<br /> 9 of the Convention</i></font><font face="Liberation Sans">” (see<br /></font><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/615"><font face="Liberation Sans">http://wri-irg.org/node/615</font></a><font face="Liberation Sans">).<br /></font><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote6"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote6sym" href="#sdfootnote6anc" id="sdfootnote6sym">6</a>Human<br /> Rights Committee, Concluding observations of the Human Rights<br /> Committee: UKRAINE, 28 November 2006,<br /><a href="http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G06/458/07/PDF/G0645807.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G06/458/07/PDF/G0645807.pdf?OpenElement</a>,<br /> accessed 8 January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote7"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote7sym" href="#sdfootnote7anc" id="sdfootnote7sym">7</a>Status<br /> of persons refusing service in military or police forces used to<br /> enforce apartheid, United Nations General Assembly resolution 33/165<br /> from 20 December 1978, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6428">http://wri-irg.org/node/6428</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote8"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote8sym" href="#sdfootnote8anc" id="sdfootnote8sym">8</a>Human<br /> Rights Committee: Concluding observations of the Human Rights<br /> Committee: CHILE, 18 May 2007, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6429">http://wri-irg.org/node/6429</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote9"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote9sym" href="#sdfootnote9anc" id="sdfootnote9sym">9</a>Commission<br /> on Human Rights: Conscientious objection to military service<br /> (Resolution 1998/77), 22 April 1998, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6136">http://wri-irg.org/node/6136</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote10"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote10sym" href="#sdfootnote10anc" id="sdfootnote10sym">10</a>European<br /> Parliament: Resolution on conscientious objection and alternative<br /> civilian service (Schmidbauer Resolution), 13 October 1989,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6376">http://wri-irg.org/node/6376</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote11"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote11sym" href="#sdfootnote11anc" id="sdfootnote11sym">11</a>European<br /> Parliament: Resolution on conscientious objection in the Member<br /> States of the Community (Bandrés Molet &amp; Bindi Resolution), 19<br /> June 1994, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6375">http://wri-irg.org/node/6375</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote12"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote12sym" href="#sdfootnote12anc" id="sdfootnote12sym">12</a>Parliamentary<br /> Assembly of the Council of Europe: Recommendation 1518 (2001), 23<br /> May 2001, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6379">http://wri-irg.org/node/6379</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote13"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote13sym" href="#sdfootnote13anc" id="sdfootnote13sym">13</a>Parliamentary<br /> Assembly of the Council of Europe: Human rights of members of the<br /> armed forces, Doc. 10861, 24 March 2006,<br /><a href="http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents?/WorkingDocs/Doc06/EDOC10861.htm">http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents?/WorkingDocs/Doc06/EDOC10861.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 9 January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote14"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote14sym" href="#sdfootnote14anc" id="sdfootnote14sym">14</a>United<br /> Nations Commission on Human Rights: Resolution 1998/77 from 22 April<br /> 1998, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6136">http://wri-irg.org/node/6136</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote15"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote15sym" href="#sdfootnote15anc" id="sdfootnote15sym">15</a>Concluding<br /> observations of the Human Rights Committee: GREECE, 25 April 2005,<br /><a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CCPR.CO.83.GRC.En?OpenDocument">http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CCPR.CO.83.GRC.En?OpenDocument</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote16"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote16sym" href="#sdfootnote16anc" id="sdfootnote16sym">16</a>Frédéric<br /> Foin v. France, CCPR/C/67/D/666/1995, 9 November 1999,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6140">http://wri-irg.org/node/6140</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote17"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote17sym" href="#sdfootnote17anc" id="sdfootnote17sym">17</a>Commission<br /> on Human Rights: Conscientious objection to military service<br /> (Resolution 1998/77), 22 April 1998, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6136">http://wri-irg.org/node/6136</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote18"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote18sym" href="#sdfootnote18anc" id="sdfootnote18sym">18</a>Recommendation<br /> No. R(87)8 of the Committee of Ministers to member states regarding<br /> conscientious objection to compulsory military service, 9 April<br /> 1997, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6378">http://wri-irg.org/node/6378</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote19"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote19sym" href="#sdfootnote19anc" id="sdfootnote19sym">19</a>The<br /> Right to Conscientious Objection in Europe, Quaker Council for<br /> European Affairs, 2005,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/4302/revisions/4372/view">http://wri-irg.org/node/4302/revisions/4372/view</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote20"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote20sym" href="#sdfootnote20anc" id="sdfootnote20sym">20</a>European<br /> Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 – Volume 1 (Albania,<br /> Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia,<br /> Finland, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy),<br /><a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote21"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote21sym" href="#sdfootnote21anc" id="sdfootnote21sym">21</a>European<br /> Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 – Volume 1 (Albania,<br /> Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia,<br /> Finland, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy),<br /><a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote22"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote22sym" href="#sdfootnote22anc" id="sdfootnote22sym">22</a>European<br /> Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions XVIII-1 (Greece), Articles<br /> 1, 12, 13, 16 and 19 of the Charter, 2006,<br /><a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/GreeceXVIII1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/GreeceXVIII1_en.pdf</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote23"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote23sym" href="#sdfootnote23anc" id="sdfootnote23sym">23</a>European<br /> Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 – Volume 1 (Albania,<br /> Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia,<br /> Finland, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy),<br /><a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote24"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote24sym" href="#sdfootnote24anc" id="sdfootnote24sym">24</a>See<br /> for example: Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee:<br /> LITHUANIA, 4 May 2004, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6473">http://wri-irg.org/node/6473</a>;<br /> Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee: FINLAND, 2<br /> December 2004,<br /><a href="http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/449/95/PDF/G0444995.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/449/95/PDF/G0444995.pdf?OpenElement</a>;<br /> Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee: POLAND, 2</p> <p> December 2004,<br /><a href="http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/450/09/PDF/G0445009.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/450/09/PDF/G0445009.pdf?OpenElement</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote25"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote25sym" href="#sdfootnote25anc" id="sdfootnote25sym">25</a>Concluding<br /> observations of the Human Rights Committee: POLAND, 2 December 2004,<br /><a href="http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/450/09/PDF/G0445009.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/450/09/PDF/G0445009.pdf?OpenElement</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote26"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote26sym" href="#sdfootnote26anc" id="sdfootnote26sym">26</a>For<br /> an overview of the case, see <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/4053">http://wri-irg.org/node/4053</a>.</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote27"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote27sym" href="#sdfootnote27anc" id="sdfootnote27sym">27</a>Vorzeitige<br /> Entlassung von Grundwehrdienstleistenden (GWDL)/freiwilligen<br /> zusätzlichen Wehrdienst Leistenden (FWDL) gemäß § 29 Abs. 1 Satz<br /> 3 Nr. 5 und Abs. 4 Nr. 2 des Wehrpflichtgesetzes,<br /><a href="http://www.kampagne.de/Recht/Dokumente/TKDV_Erlass.php">http://www.kampagne.de/Recht/Dokumente/TKDV_Erlass.php</a>,<br /> accessed 14 January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote28"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote28sym" href="#sdfootnote28anc" id="sdfootnote28sym">28</a>See<br /> also Human Rights Committee: General Comment 32 on Article 14,<br /> CCPR/C/GC/32, 23 August 2007,<br /><a href="http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/437/71/PDF/G0743771.pdf?OpenElement">http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/437/71/PDF/G0743771.pdf?OpenElement</a>;<br /> United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention: OPINION No.<br /> 24/2003 (ISRAEL), 28 November 2003, <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/6481">http://wri-irg.org/node/6481</a>,<br /> OPINION No. 36/1999 (TURKEY), 2 December 1999,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/1600">http://wri-irg.org/node/1600</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote29"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote29sym" href="#sdfootnote29anc" id="sdfootnote29sym">29</a>An<br /> overview of the case is available at <a href="http://wri-irg.org/node/5017">http://wri-irg.org/node/5017</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote30"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote30sym" href="#sdfootnote30anc" id="sdfootnote30sym">30</a>War<br /> Resisters' International: Conscientious objection to military<br /> service in Greece: Human Rights shortfalls, 1 February 2005,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/news/2005/greece05a-en.htm">http://wri-irg.org/news/2005/greece05a-en.htm</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote31"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote31sym" href="#sdfootnote31anc" id="sdfootnote31sym">31</a>Emails<br /> Alexia Tsouni, Association of Greek Conscientious Objectors, 15<br /> January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote32"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote32sym" href="#sdfootnote32anc" id="sdfootnote32sym">32</a>Aanwijzing<br /> inzake Gewetensbezwaren militaire dienst, 1 January 1994,<br /><a href="http://mpbundels.mindef.nl/31_serie/31_112/31_112_1150.htm">http://mpbundels.mindef.nl/31_serie/31_112/31_112_1150.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 15 January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote33"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote33sym" href="#sdfootnote33anc" id="sdfootnote33sym">33</a>Information<br /> provided by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, November 2004,<br /> referenced in Quaker Council for European Affairs: The Right to<br /> Conscientious Objection in Europe, 2005,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/co/rtba/netherlands.htm">http://wri-irg.org/co/rtba/netherlands.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 11 August 2008.</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote34"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote34sym" href="#sdfootnote34anc" id="sdfootnote34sym">34</a>War<br /> Resisters' International: World Survey Conscientious Objection and<br /> Recruitment, Netherlands, 23 October 2008,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/programmes/world_survey/reports/Netherlands">http://wri-irg.org/programmes/world_survey/reports/Netherlands</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote35"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote35sym" href="#sdfootnote35anc" id="sdfootnote35sym">35</a>Antwort<br /> des Parlamentarischen Staatssekretärs Thomas Kossendey, 9 May 2007:<br /> Kriegsdienstverweigerung – Antragstellungen von Soldaten seit 2001<br /> nach Statusgruppen und insgesamt,<br /><a href="http://dip.bundestag.de/btd/16/053/1605317.pdf">http://dip.bundestag.de/btd/16/053/1605317.pdf</a>,<br /> accessed 15 January 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote36"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote36sym" href="#sdfootnote36anc" id="sdfootnote36sym">36</a>Notes<br /> on the acquittal of a German military officer who refused to carry<br /> out a military order in connection with the Iraq War,<br /><a href="http://wri-irg.org/news/2006/pfaff-en.htm">http://wri-irg.org/news/2006/pfaff-en.htm</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote37"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote37sym" href="#sdfootnote37anc" id="sdfootnote37sym">37</a>Numbers<br /> have been obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by War<br /> Resisters' International, and also by the Quakers. However, these<br /> numbers do not add up. According to the information obtained by War<br /> Resisters' International, only six individuals (3 RAF personnel, 3<br /> Navy personnel) have applied for discharge on the grounds of<br /> conscientious objection since 2000. Of these cases, five were<br /> successful (3 RAF personnel, 2 Navy personnel). It is interesting<br /> that according to information obtained by David Gee in March 2007,<br /> from April 2001 to March 2006 there had been four successful<br /> applications, all from Air Force personnel, and none for the Navy or<br /> Army.</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote38"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote38sym" href="#sdfootnote38anc" id="sdfootnote38sym">38</a>Mohisin<br /> Khan v RAF, [2004] EWHC (2230), paragraph 57,<br /><a href="http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/judgmentsfiles/j2822/khan-v-raf.htm">http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/judgmentsfiles/j2822/khan-v-raf.htm</a><br /></p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote39"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote39sym" href="#sdfootnote39anc" id="sdfootnote39sym">39</a>At<br /> least 1,000 UK soldiers desert, BBC News, 28 May 2006,<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5024104.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5024104.stm</a>,<br /> accessed 1 October 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote40"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote40sym" href="#sdfootnote40anc" id="sdfootnote40sym">40</a>SAS<br /> man quits in protest at 'illegal' Iraq war, The Guardian, 13 March<br /> 2006, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1729553,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1729553,00.html</a>,<br /> accessed 1 October 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote41"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote41sym" href="#sdfootnote41anc" id="sdfootnote41sym">41</a>RAF<br /> doctor jailed over Iraq refusal, The Guardian, 13 April 2006,<br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1753241,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1753241,00.html</a>,<br /> accessed 1 October 2008</p><br /></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- 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field--expert--field-programmes-projects--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-programmes-projects--story.html.twig * field--node--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-programmes-projects.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Programmes &amp; Projects</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/1" hreflang="en">Right to Refuse to Kill</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/92" hreflang="en">United Kingdom</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/173" hreflang="en">Sweden</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/201" hreflang="en">Spain (State of)</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/167" hreflang="en">Slovenia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/255" hreflang="en">Slovakia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/130" hreflang="en">Romania</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Portugal</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/214" hreflang="en">Poland</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/192" hreflang="en">Netherlands</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/221" hreflang="en">Malta</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Luxembourg</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/245" hreflang="en">Lithuania</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/97" hreflang="en">Liechtenstein</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/246" hreflang="en">Latvia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/112" hreflang="en">Italy</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/269" hreflang="en">Ireland</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/259" hreflang="en">Hungary</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/122" hreflang="en">Greece</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/101" hreflang="en">Germany</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/123" hreflang="en">France</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/155" hreflang="en">Finland</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/199" hreflang="en">Denmark</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/267" hreflang="en">Czech Republic</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/238" hreflang="en">Cyprus</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/222" hreflang="en">Bulgaria</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Belgium</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/113" hreflang="en">Austria</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/48" hreflang="en">European Union (EU)</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=6484&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="jG2CkznV3BAHXItAtDHo4BB_14QSa60X7qKNjYUysW8"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:15:20 +0000 warresisters 6484 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2009/conscientious-objection-legal-practices-and-frameworks-among-eu-member-states#comments Estonia: Service required to replace military service https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/estonia-service-required-replace-military-service <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--6468.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="6468" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 31 Dec 2008</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>European Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 – Volume 1</p> <p>(Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy)</p> <h3>Estonia</h3> <p>(...)</p> <h4>Service required to replace military service</h4> <p>The Committee notes from the report that there have been no changes in the situation it previously considered unsatisfactory, and that the Government has no intention of changing it. Military service lasts 8 months. However it is extended to 11 months for noncommissioned officers, specialists and those undertaking reserve officer training. Alternative military service lasts 16 months.</p> <p>Admittedly, recognised conscientious objectors are in a better position than they are in countries that do not grant them special status or where refusal to serve is punishable by imprisonment. But<br /> even if the state acknowledges the principle of conscientious objection and institutes alternative service instead, it cannot make the latter longer than is necessary to ensure that refusal to serve on grounds of conscience is genuine and the choice of alternative service is not seen as advantageous rather than a duty. </p> <p>Under Article 1§2 of the Charter, alternative service may not exceed one and a half times the length of armed military service. Since alternative service may last up to twice the length of military service, the situation in Estonia is not compatible with the Revised Charter.</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/2008Vol1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/Year/200…</a></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/454" hreflang="en">European Committee of Social Rights</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=6468&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="o0HQZJCfkN05Kfmwdx8xiAZumw9YR0cpQCwcQJzQT40"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000 warresisters 6468 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/estonia-service-required-replace-military-service#comments European Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2008 (Estonia) https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/european-committee-social-rights-conclusions-2008-estonia <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--20961.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="20961" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 01 Dec 2008</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Service required to replace military service</p> <p>The Committee notes from the report that there have been no changes in the situation it previously considered unsatisfactory, and that the Government has no intention of changing it. Military service lasts 8 months. However it is extended to 11 months for non-commissioned officers, specialists and those undertaking reserve officer training. Alternative military service lasts 16 months.<br /> Admittedly, recognised conscientious objectors are in a better position than they are in countries that do not grant them special status or where refusal to serve is punishable by imprisonment. But even if the state acknowledges the principle of conscientious objection and institutes alternative service instead, it cannot make the latter longer than is necessary to ensure that refusal to serve on grounds of conscience is genuine and the choice of alternative service is not seen as advantageous rather than a duty.<br /> Under Article 1§2 of the Charter, alternative service may not exceed one and a half times the length of armed military service. Since alternative service may last up to twice the length of military service, the situation in Estonia is not compatible with the Revised Charter.</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/Estonia2008_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/Es…</a></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/64" hreflang="en">International Law</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/454" hreflang="en">European Committee of Social Rights</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=20961&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="KRNJ5WZbs8eRFU6s1j238bXO5iILUGy6lFmLhEwlaQI"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000 warresisters 20961 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/european-committee-social-rights-conclusions-2008-estonia#comments Estonia https://wri-irg.org/en/programmes/world_survey/reports/Estonia <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--3968.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="3968" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 23 Oct 2008</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p></p><h4>Issues</h4><br /><ul><br /><li>A genuinely civilian substitute<br /> service for conscientious objectors is not available.</li><br /><li>Estonia does not recognise the<br /> right to conscientious objection for professional soldiers.</li><br /></ul><p></p><h4>Military recruitment</h4> <p></p><h5>Conscription</h5> <p></p><p>Conscription is enshrined in article<br /> 124 paragraph 1 of the constitution, according to which “<i>Estonian<br /> citizens have a duty to participate in national defence on the bases<br /> of and pursuant to procedure provided by law</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote1anc" href="#sdfootnote1sym" id="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br /> It is further regulated by the 2000 Defence Forces Service Act<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote2anc" href="#sdfootnote2sym" id="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><p>The duration of the compulsory<br /> military service is 8 or 11 months, depending on the education and<br /> the position in the Defence Forces<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote3anc" href="#sdfootnote3sym" id="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a>.<br /> After completion of military service, conscripts may be called up for<br /> reservist duties every five years.</p> <p></p><p>Only approximately 1,500 of a total<br /> of 3,800 Armed Forces personnel are made up of conscripts<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote4anc" href="#sdfootnote4sym" id="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><h5>Professional soldiers</h5> <p></p><p>The<br /> Defence Forces Service Act 2000 also includes regulations for<br /> “contract service”. Estonian citizens only who are at minimum 18<br /> years old can apply to join the Estonian Defence Forces (Article 79).<br /> According to article 83, a contract can either be for a fixed term,<br /> or unspecified. </p> <p></p><h4>Conscientious objection</h4> <p></p><h5>Conscientious objection for conscripts</h5> <p></p><p>The right to conscientious objection<br /> is enshrined in article 124 paragraph 2 of the Estonian constitution,<br /> which states that “<i>a person who refuses to serve in the Defence<br /> Forces for religious or moral reasons has a duty to perform<br /> alternative service pursuant to procedure prescribed by law</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote5anc" href="#sdfootnote5sym" id="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><p>According to article 3 paragraph 6<br /> of the Defence Forces Service Act, “<i>refusal to serve in the<br /> Defence Forces on religious or moral grounds does not release the<br /> person concerned from performance of the duty to serve in the Defence<br /> Forces</i>”. However, according to article 4 paragraph 2 of the<br /> same law, “<i>alternative service shall be conducted pursuant to<br /> the procedure provided for in this Act and legislation issued on the<br /> basis thereof.</i>” </p> <p></p><p>The application procedure is<br /> outlined in article 72. According to this article, the Defence Forces<br /> Agency decides on an application for conscientious objection. To<br /> “verify the justification”, the “<i>Defence Forces Agency<br /> shall: 1) collect explanations from the person eligible to be<br /> drafted and those closest to him; 2) make inquiries of the place of<br /> study or work </i><i>of the person eligible to be drafted and of the<br /> religious organisation specified by him.”</i></p> <p></p><p>It is<br /> also possible to request further documents or to call the applicant<br /> for an interview. If an application is rejected, an appeal either to<br /> the Defence Forces service commission or to a court is possible.</p><br /><p class="western" align="JUSTIFY">According to article 73 of the<br /> Defence Forces Service Act, “<i>persons in alternative service<br /> shall serve in structural units determined by the Government of the<br /> Republic which are in the area of government of the Ministry of<br /> Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Social Affairs and which are<br /> engaged in rescue, social care or emergency work</i>”. Read<br /> together with article 3, however, the character of substitute service<br /> remains unclear.</p> <p></p><p>After completion of substitute<br /> service, COs "<i>shall be registered in the register of persons<br /> liable to service in the Defence Forces</i>" (Article 78).<br /> Consequently, COs may still have to serve in the armed forces as<br /> reservists. Article 78 states that reservist duties should not<br /> violate the guarantees that are laid down in Article 76 paragraph 1,<br /> which suggests that reservist duties of COs may entail unarmed duties<br /> within the armed forces.</p> <p></p><p>The length of substitute service is<br /> 16 months<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote6anc" href="#sdfootnote6sym" id="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a>.<br /> This is twice the length of military service<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote7anc" href="#sdfootnote7sym" id="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a>.<br /> In 2003, the United Nations' Human Rights Committee stressed its<br /> concern “<i>that the duration of alternative service for<br /> conscientious objectors may be up to twice as long as the duration of<br /> regular military service</i>”, and pointed out that Estonia “<i>is<br /> under an obligation to ensure that conscientious objectors can opt<br /> for alternative service, the duration of which is without punitive<br /> effect</i>”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote8anc" href="#sdfootnote8sym" id="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><p>In practice, there are not many<br /> applications for conscientious objection. During the period of<br /> 1995-2001, only in 1996 11 conscientious objectors served their<br /> substitute service in the Tallinn Military Rescue Company (under the<br /> Estonian Rescue Board)<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote9anc" href="#sdfootnote9sym" id="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><p>According to the third periodic<br /> Estonian state report to the Human Rights Committee, in 2005, there<br /> were no persons in substitute service; in 2006 there were 2 such<br /> persons and in 2007 11 of 65 applications for substitute service were<br /> granted<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote10anc" href="#sdfootnote10sym" id="sdfootnote10anc"><sup>10</sup></a>.<br /> No more details about the conditions or place of service are known.</p> <p></p><h5>Conscientious objection for professional soldiers</h5> <p></p><p>The right to conscientious objectors is not recognised for<br /> professional soldiers.</p> <p></p><p>According to article 109, “<i>a regular member of the Defence<br /> Forces is required to give at least two months’ advance notice of<br /> his or her wish to terminate the contract.</i>” However, according<br /> to article 120, “<i>the active service contract of a regular member<br /> of the Defence Forces shall not be terminated and he or she shall not<br /> be released from active service during a state of emergency or a<br /> state of war. In the event of mobilisation, all regular members of<br /> the Defence Forces are deemed to be mobilised in the Defence Forces<br /> as of the declaration of mobilisation</i>”. This in fact makes it<br /> impossible to leave the Armed Forces in times of war or emergency,<br /> when a conflict of conscience is most likely to arise.</p> <p></p><h4>Draft evasion and desertion</h4> <p></p><p>Draft evasion and desertion are punishable under the criminal code<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote11anc" href="#sdfootnote11sym" id="sdfootnote11anc"><sup>11</sup></a>.</p> <p></p><p>According to article 215<sup>1</sup><br /> of the Defence Forces Service Act, “<i>Failure by a person eligible<br /> to be drafted to report for compulsory military service is punishable<br /> by a fine of up to 300 fine units or by detention</i>”. </p> <p></p><p>Failure by a reservist to<br /> participate in training exercises can be punished by a fine of up to<br /> 300 fine units or by detention, according to article 215<sup>2<a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote12anc" href="#sdfootnote12sym" id="sdfootnote12anc"><sup>12</sup></a></sup>.</p> <p></p><p>According to article 439, desertion,<br /> defined as “<i>unauthorised departure from a military unit or any<br /> other place of service with the intention to evade service in the<br /> Defence Forces</i>” is punishable by 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment<br /> in peacetime, and 2 to 10 years' imprisonment during a state of<br /> emergency or war.</p> <p></p><p>Article 440 deals with draft<br /> evasion, or “<i>evasion of service in Defence Forces</i>”.<br /> According to this article, “<i>a person who evades service in the<br /> Defence Forces by causing an injury to himself or by having an injury<br /> caused to him by another person, or by simulating an illness,<br /> falsifying documents or using any other fraud shall be punished by 1<br /> to 5 years’ imprisonment.</i></p> <p></p><p>“<i>The same act, if committed<br /> with the intention to evade performance of duties related to service<br /> in the Defence Forces, is punishable by up to 3 years’<br /> imprisonment.</i>”</p> <p></p><p>“<i>An act provided for in<br /> subsection (1) or (2) of this section, if committed during a state of<br /> emergency or a state of war, is punishable by 2 to 10 years’<br /> imprisonment</i>”.</p> <p></p><p>No information on practice is available.</p> <h4>Notes</h4> <p></p><div id="sdfootnote1"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote1sym" href="#sdfootnote1anc" id="sdfootnote1sym">1</a>Constitution<br /> of the Republic of Estonia,<br /><a href="http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/constitution.php?gid=81915">http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/constitution.php?gid=81915</a>,<br /> accessed 2 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote2"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote2sym" href="#sdfootnote2anc" id="sdfootnote2sym">2</a>Defence<br /> Forces Service Act 2000,<br /><a href="http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/X40039K10.htm">http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/X40039K10.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 1 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote3"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote3sym" href="#sdfootnote3anc" id="sdfootnote3sym">3</a>Estonian<br /> Defence Forces: Compulsory military service,<br /><a href="http://www.mil.ee/index_eng.php?s=ajateenistus">http://www.mil.ee/index_eng.php?s=ajateenistus</a>,<br /> accessed 2 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote4"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote4sym" href="#sdfootnote4anc" id="sdfootnote4sym">4</a>U.S.<br /> Department of State, Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs:<br /> Background Note: Estonia, October 2007,<br /><a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5377.htm">http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5377.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 2 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote5"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote5sym" href="#sdfootnote5anc" id="sdfootnote5sym">5</a>Constitution<br /> of the Republic of Estonia,<br /><a href="http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/constitution.php?gid=81915">http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/constitution.php?gid=81915</a>,<br /> accessed 1 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote6"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote6sym" href="#sdfootnote6anc" id="sdfootnote6sym">6</a>Human<br /> Rights Committee: Consideration of reports submitted by States<br /> Parties under article 40 of the Covenant, Third periodic reports of<br /> States parties: ESTONIA, CCPR/C/EST/3, 2 April 2009,<br /><a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.3_AUV.doc">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.3_AUV.doc</a>,<br /> accessed 19 August 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote7"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote7sym" href="#sdfootnote7anc" id="sdfootnote7sym">7</a>Government<br /> Gazette 'Riigi teataja' I 2000, 63, 401. The length of substitute<br /> service was in fact increased in 2000. Before 2000, the length of<br /> substitute service was 15 months, compared to 12 months' military<br /> service. Article 74 of the Defence Forces Service Act envisages an<br /> even longer duration, stating that substitute service should be no<br /> longer than 24 months and not shorter than 16 months.</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote8"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote8sym" href="#sdfootnote8anc" id="sdfootnote8sym">8</a>Concluding<br /> observations of the Human Rights Committee : Estonia. 15/04/2003,<br /> CCPR/CO/77/EST,<br /><a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CCPR.CO.77.EST.En?Opendocument">http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CCPR.CO.77.EST.En?Opendocument</a>,<br /> accessed 2 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote9"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote9sym" href="#sdfootnote9anc" id="sdfootnote9sym">9</a>Consideration<br /> of reports submitted by states parties under article 40 of the<br /> Covenant , Addendum , ESTONIA (Comments by the Government of Estonia<br /> on the concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee), 25<br /> May 2002.<br /><a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/c293b32c79b5f13bc1256c4e00301c81/$FILE/G0242273.pdf">http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/c293b32c79b5f13bc1256c4e00301c81/$FILE/G0242273.pdf</a>,<br /> accessed 2 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote10"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote10sym" href="#sdfootnote10anc" id="sdfootnote10sym">10</a>Human<br /> Rights Committee: Consideration of reports submitted by States<br /> Parties under article 40 of the Covenant, Third periodic reports of<br /> States parties: ESTONIA, CCPR/C/EST/3, 2 April 2009,<br /><a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.3_AUV.doc">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/CCPR.C.EST.3_AUV.doc</a>,<br /> accessed 19 August 2009</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote11"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote11sym" href="#sdfootnote11anc" id="sdfootnote11sym">11</a>Penal<br /> Code (consolidated text Jan 2007),<br /><a href="http://www.legaltext.ee/en/andmebaas/tekst.asp?loc=text&amp;dok=X30068K7&amp;keel=en&amp;pg=1&amp;ptyyp=RT&amp;tyyp=X&amp;query=penal">http://www.legaltext.ee/en/andmebaas/tekst.asp?loc=text&amp;dok=X30068K7&amp;keel=en&amp;pg=1&amp;ptyyp=RT&amp;tyyp=X&amp;query=penal</a>,<br /> accessed 1 May 2008</p><br /></div><br /><div id="sdfootnote12"><br /><p class="sdfootnote-western"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote12sym" href="#sdfootnote12anc" id="sdfootnote12sym">12</a>Defence<br /> Forces Service Act, 14 March 2000,<br /><a href="http://www.ensib.ee/toetused/Defence_Forces_Service_Act.htm">http://www.ensib.ee/toetused/Defence_Forces_Service_Act.htm</a>,<br /> accessed 19 August 2009</p><br /></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * 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field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=3968&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="sM4mu6RVKhA-k4O5pRE1IMPOphs3HiVQKqneOoQIjFs"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000 warresisters 3968 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/programmes/world_survey/reports/Estonia#comments European Committee of Social Rights condemns long substitute services https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/european-committee-social-rights-condemns-long-substitute-services <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--1349.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="1349" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 01 Mar 2008</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p></p><p>The European Committee of Social Rights has repeatedly dealt with the issue of the length of substitute service - especially in the cases of Greece and Finland. In recent years, it has taken up the issue on its own in several conclusions on country reports. We publish the relevant parts below (thanks go to the European Buereau for Conscientious Objection):</p> <p></p><h3>Estonia</h3> <p></p><p>"<i>The Committee previously noted that legislation provided for alternative service to compulsory military service, but sought further clarification on the length of such alternative service. In December 2004 the length of alternative service was reduced to between 12 months (minimum) and 18 months (maximum) and is (according to other sources1) currently set at 16 months duration. Military service lasts between eight months (minimum) and 11 months (maximum).</i></p> <p></p><p><i>The Committee recalls that under Article 1§ 2 the duration of alternative service may not exceed one and half times the length of military service. The Committee notes that according to the information available to it alternative service may amount to double the length of military service. The situation is therefore not in conformity with the Revised Charter on this point.</i>"</p> <p></p><p>(<a href="http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Estonia2006_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Estonia2006_en.pdf</a>)</p> <p></p><h3>Finland</h3> <p></p><p>"<i>Under the Military Service Act the length of military service is either 180, 270 or 362 days. According to the report the majority of conscripts perform at least 270 days (52.3 %) and 47.7 % perform 180 days. The duration of unarmed military service is 330 days and alternative civilian service 395 days.</i></p> <p></p><p><i>The Committee has previously found that the situation is not in conformity with the Revised Charter on the grounds that the length of alternative service was more than double the length of compulsory service performed by the majority of conscripts (at that time 64,2 % of conscripts performed 180 days of military service. Although the situation has altered slightly during the reference period ,(see above), the Committee notes that it has only altered slightly and that the length of civilian service remains more that double the minimum period of military service which is under taken by almost half of all conscripts.</i></p> <p></p><p><i>Therefore the Committee maintains that the length of alternative civilian service remains a disproportionate restriction on a worker’s right to earn a living in an occupation freely entered upon.</i>"</p> <p></p><p>(<a href="http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Finland2006_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Finland2006_en.pdf</a>)</p> <p></p><p>It has to be noted that since this conclusion has been published, Finland reduced the length of substitute service, but not sufficiently. The service has been shorted to 11 month from 1 January 2008 on.</p> <p></p><h3>Greece</h3> <p></p><p>"<i>Since the case of Quaker Council of European Affairs v. Greece Complaint No. 8/2000 decision on the merits 25 April 2001 Greece has been found to be in breach of Article 1§ 2 on the grounds that the length of service alternative to military service is excessive. The legal regulations governing alternative military service have been amended over the years, although in its previous conclusion the Committee noted that the length of alternative service was still excessive in that it usually represented more than double the length of compulsory military service.</i></p> <p></p><p><i>New legislation on this issue has again been introduced during the reference period; those who serve alternative civilian service instead of the average military service (or unarmed military service) are now liable to serve 23 months, instead of 30 months as was set previously (those who serve reduced armed service of nine months are now liable for 17 months instead of 25; those who serve reduced armed service of six months are now liable for 11 months instead of 20 and those who serve reduced armed service of five months are now liable for 3 months instead of 15). The length of full-armed military service is set at twelve months.</i></p> <p></p><p><i>The Committee notes that the new legislation provide for a significant reduction in the length of alternative service; however it recalls that under Article 1§ 2 the duration of alternative service may not exceed one and half times the length of military service and consequently the situation in Greece can not be considered as being in conformity with Article 1§ 2 of the Charter.</i>"</p> <p></p><p>(<a href="http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/GreeceXVIII1_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/GreeceXVIII1_en.pdf</a>)</p> <p></p><h3>Moldova</h3> <p></p><p>"<i>According to the report the length of alternative service is 24 months, while the length of military service is 12 months.</i></p> <p></p><p><i>The Committee recalls that under Article 1§ 2 the duration of alternative service may not exceed one and a half times the length of military service. The Committee therefore finds that the situation is not in conformity with Article 1§ 2 of the Revised Charter.</i>"</p> <p></p><p>(<a href="http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Moldova2006_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/esc/3_reporting_procedure/2_recent_conclusions/1_by_state/Moldova2006_en.pdf</a>)</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/96" hreflang="en">Moldova</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/122" hreflang="en">Greece</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/155" hreflang="en">Finland</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/53" hreflang="en">Council of Europe (CoE)</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=1349&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="DAm8F0VTA7RL5k_UIEjAM6GwOypBBpFevWVA-Y0eRWc"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000 warresisters 1349 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2008/european-committee-social-rights-condemns-long-substitute-services#comments European Committee of Social Rights: Conclusions 2006 (Estonia) https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2007/european-committee-social-rights-conclusions-2006-estonia <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_entity_view' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'ds_1col' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * ds-1col--node--20967.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node-story.html.twig * ds-1col--node-rss.html.twig * ds-1col--node.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig x ds-1col.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <div data-history-node-id="20967" class="node node--type-story node--view-mode-rss ds-1col clearfix"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node-post-date---custom.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--node-post-date.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date--story.html.twig * field--node--node-post-date.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--node-post-date.html.twig * field--ds.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <time > 14 Mar 2007</time> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--body--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--body--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--body.html.twig * field--default--body--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--body.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig * field--node--body--story.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Service in place of military service</p> <p>The Committee previously noted that legislation provided for alternative service to compulsory military service, but sought further clarification on the length of such alternative service. In December 2004 the length of alternative service was reduced to between 12 months (minimum) and 18 months (maximum) and is (according to other sources1) currently set at 16 months duration. Military service lasts between eight months (minimum) and 11 months (maximum).<br /> The Committee recalls that under Article 1§2 the duration of alternative service may not exceed one and half times the length of military service. The Committee notes that according to the information available to it alternative service may amount to double the length of military service. The situation is therefore not in conformity with the Revised Charter on this point.<br /> The Committee refers to its question in the General Introduction to these Conclusions as to whether legislation against terrorism precludes persons from taking up certain employment.</p> <p>(...)</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/Estonia2006_en.pdf">http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Conclusions/State/Es…</a></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-countries--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-countries.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-countries--story.html.twig * field--node--field-countries.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-countries.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Countries</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/244" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-theme--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-theme.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-theme--story.html.twig * field--node--field-theme.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-theme.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Theme</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Conscientious objection</a></span> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/64" hreflang="en">International Law</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--field-institutions--rss.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--story.html.twig * field--expert--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--expert--story.html.twig * field--expert--field-institutions.html.twig * field--expert.html.twig * field--ds-field-expert.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions--story.html.twig * field--node--field-institutions.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--field-institutions.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <div class="field--label tags--label field-label-above">Institutions</div> <div class="wri-main--tags"> <span class="rel-tag" > <a href="/en/taxonomy/term/454" hreflang="en">European Committee of Social Rights</a></span> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-field-expert.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--comment--rss.html.twig * field--default--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--node--story.html.twig * field--default--node--comment.html.twig * field--default--comment--story.html.twig * field--default--story.html.twig * field--default--comment.html.twig * field--default.html.twig * field--theme-ds-field-default.html.twig x field--node--comment--story.html.twig * field--node--comment.html.twig * field--node--story.html.twig * field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> <section class="comments"> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=20967&amp;2=comment&amp;3=comment" token="WGSwDXbC3E98qQdUJM44ELRBQNihd_gaRb59JH2bCi8"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/wri_main/templates/field/field--node--comment--story.html.twig' --> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-1col.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'modules/contrib/ds/templates/ds-entity-view.html.twig' --> Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000 warresisters 20967 at https://wri-irg.org https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2007/european-committee-social-rights-conclusions-2006-estonia#comments