Prisoners for Peace Honour Roll 2006

How the list works

First are prisoners' names (in bold), followed by their sentence, then their place of imprisonment, and, finally the reason for their detention. Information about countries where prisoners have had their sentences suspended, or where sentences have been served or completed during the year, are in italics.

Armenia

Although Armenia passed a law on conscientious objection in 2004, the country continues to imprison conscientious objectors. Many conscientious objectors also refuse to serve substitute service, as it is controlled by the Ministry of Defence. An amendment to the law on cosncientious objection now provides for the prosecution of objectors who refuse to perform substitute service. In May 2006, Jehovah's Witnesses COs applied to the European Court of Human Rights, stating a violation of their human right to conscientious objection.

Eritrea

Paulos Eyassu (24/09/1994 -- )

Negede Teklemariam (24/09/1994 -- )

Isaac Mogos (24/09/1994 -- )

Aron Abraha (09/05/2001 -- )

Mussie Fessehaye (June 2003 -- )

Ambakom Tsegezab (February 2004 -- )

Bemnet Fessehaye (February 2005 -- )

Henok Ghebru (February 2005 -- )

Sawa Prison, Eritrea

Amanuel Tesfaendrias (March 2005 -- )

Wia Prison, Eritrea

All together nine Jehovah's Witnesses are imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service. Three Jehovah's Witnesses are imprisoned since 24 September 1994, for refusing to perform military service. All three have never been charged for their "crime". The maximum penalty for conscientious objection is three years.

Finland

Although under pressure from the UN and other international institutions, Finland continues to imprison total objectors, and refuses to bring its law on substitute service in line with international standards. On 16 October, 19 total objectors were in prison, but only four who will still be in prison on 1 December gave permission to publish their names.

Kenneth Eklund

Erno Pennanen (01/08/06 -- 17/02/07)

Helsingin työsiirtola, PL 36, 01531 Vantaa, Finland

Santeri Lintunen

Ojoisten työsiirtola, PL 36, 01531 Vantaa, Finland

Hannu Luode (01/08/06 -- 18/02/07)

Satakunnan vankila, Köyliön osasto, PL42, 32701 Huittinen, Finland

Greece

In 2006, the situation in Greece did not improve, in spite of broad international attention. Several COs are awaiting the outcome of their appeal trials, and could face imprisonment.

Israel

Israel continnues to imprison draft resisters for the refusal to enlist in the Israeli military. However, the Israeli practice of imposing disciplinary sentences of up to 5 weeks repeatedly makes it impossible to predict now who will be in prison on 1 December. Please check WRI's website for updates and new alerts at /news/alerts.

Puerto Rico

José Pérez González (21519-069)

(five years -- out 15/07/08)

Edgefield FCI, PO Box 725, Edgefield, SC 29824, USA

Has been sentenced for conspiracy, damage to federal property, and/or probation violation on 01/05/03 for resisting the US military bombardment of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Russia

Igor Sutyagin (15 years)

427965, Respublika Udmurtiya, g. Sarapul; ul. Raskolnikova, 53-A, YaCh-91/5, 14 otryad; Russia

Imprisoned since 27/10/1999, now convicted of espionage for researching public nuclear weapons information -- sentenced 07/04/04.

South Korea

In 2004, the country's Supreme Court and Constitutional Court ruled against the right to conscientious objection. There are about 1,000 conscientious objectors in prison, the great majority of them Jehovah's Witnesses. Presently, two cases are pending before the United Nations' Human Rights Comitee. This year also saw widespread protest against the relocation of US bases in South Korea, with many arrests.

Kim Ji Tae (#201, in 05/06/06)

Pyeongtaek Gu Chee So, Dong Sak-Dong 245-1, Pyeongtaek, South Korea

Imprisoned for nonviolent resistance to forced relocation of farming communities for US Army base expansion. Trial continues until 3 November 2006

Kim Tae Hun

Box 20 P.O. Gunpoucheguk Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Zip Code 437-702

Seoul Jail ref. No 2494

Phone. (+82 31) 423-6100~6 Fax. (+82 31) 423-6111

www.seoul.corrections.go.kr

Ko Dong Ju

Box 164 P.O. Seoulgeumcheonucheguk, Korea. Zip Code 152-707

Yeongdeungpo Jail ref. No 2437

Phone. (+82 2) 2611-8100~7 Fax. (+82 2) 2612-5764

www.Yeonggu.corrections.go.kr

Choi Jae Young

Box 68 P.O. Jinjuucheguk Jinju-si Gyeongnam, Korea. Zip Code 660-912

Jinju Prison ref. No 1204

Phone. (+82 55) 741-2181~2 Fax. (+82 55) 741-2428

www.jinju.corrections.go.kr

O Jeong Rok

Box 1 P.O. Seongyeonucheguk Seosan, Korea. Zip Code 356-851

Seosan Jail ref. No 103

Phone. (+82 41) 669-6891~4 Fax. (+82 41) 669-6895

www.seosan.corrections.go.kr

Kim Young Jin

Box 99 P.O. Uijeongbuucheguk Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Zip Code 480-700

Uijeongbu Prison ref. No 1723

Phone. (+82 31) 842-7601~3 Fax. (+82 31) 842-7080

www.uijeongbu.corrections.go.kr

Lee Yong Suk

Box 69 P.O. Namincheonucheguk Nam-gu Incheon, Korea. Zip Code 402-704

Incheon Jail ref. No 2232

Phone. (+82 31) 217-7101~7 Fax. (+82 31) 217-7108

www.incheon.corrections.go.kr

Mun Sang Hyun

Box 144 P.O. Cheongjuucheguk, Korea. Zip Code 361-754

Cheongju Prison ref. No 844

Phone. (+82 43) 296-8171~4 Fax. (+82 43) 296-7950

www.cheongju.corrections.go.kr

Kim Do Hyung

Box 164 P.O. Seoulgeumcheonucheguk, Korea. Zip Code 152-707

Yeongdeungpo Jail ref. No 2479

Phone. (+82 2) 2611-8100~7 Fax. (+82 2) 2612-5764

www.Yeonggu.corrections.go.kr

Kim Hun Tae

Box 1 P.O. Seongdongucheguk Nonsan, Korea. Zip Code 320-941

Nonsan Jail ref. No 370

Phone. (+82 41) 733-2220.1.4.6 Fax. (+82 41) 733-2227

www.nonsan.corrections.go.kr

USA

Greg Boertje-Obed

Michael Walli

Carl Kabat O.M.I.

Burleigh County Detention Center, POB 1416, Bismarck, ND58502

EWMD Here direct disarmament of nuclear missile silo E-9 in North Dakota on 20 June 06 -- awaiting sentencing on 04/12/06

Helen Woodson (03231-045) (106 months -- out 09/09/11)

FMC Carswell, Max Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127

Anti-war protest at the federal courthouse, Kansas City, Missouri, on 11/03/04 in violation of parole following release from prison on 03/09/04. Pleaded guilty to violation and four new charges on 18/06/04.

Kevin McKee (40886-050) (24 months -- out 05/11/07) FCI Schuykill Satellite Camp, POB 670, Minersville, PA 17954 Joseph Donato (40884-050) (27 months -- out 31/01/08) FCI Fairton, POB 420, Fairton, NJ 08320

Convicted in December 2004 for refusal to pay war taxes on religious grounds

Rafil Dhafir (11921-052) (22 years -- out 26/04/22) FCI Fairton, POB 420, Fairton, NJ 08320

Ayman Jarwan (11920-052) (18 months -- out 25/12/06)

Convicted for providing humanitarian and financial aid to Iraqis in violation of US sanctions, February 2005

Augustin Aguayo

US Army Confinement Facility-Europe, Mannheim, Germany

After his application for conscientious objection was denied, he went temporarily AWOL, is being held in Germany pending resolution of status.

Walter R. Clousing

Bldg. 1041, PSC 20140, Camp Lejeune NC 28542

Sentenced on 12 October to 3 months for being AWOL

Action

• On 1 December, put aside at least one hour and write at least four cards to prisoners;
• Get your peace group or class or meeting place to organise a card-writing session;
• Set up a stall in your town centre, perform a bit of street theatre, or do whatever else it takes to attract attention and interest.

Sending cards and letters

• Always send your card in an envelope;
• Include a return name and address on the envelope;
• Be chatty and creative: send photos from your life, drawings;
• Tell prisoners what you are doing to stop war and war preparations;
• Don't write anything that might get the prisoner into trouble;
• Think about the sort of thing you'd like to receive if you were in prison;
• Don't begin, "You are so brave, I could never do what you have done";
• Don't expect the prisoner to reply;
• Remember -- next year it could be you ...

Support our future work

For 48 years, War Resisters' International has publicised the names and stories of prisoners of conscience. Help us keep up the tradition. Send in a special PfP donation to WRI to help fund next year's research. Send contributions to: War Resisters' International, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain (tel +44-20-7278 4040; fax 7278 0444; email pfp@wri-irg.org). Your outreach to prisoners does make a difference. Show your solidarity!

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Online version: for all four language versions of the PfP 2006 pack.