ISRAEL: Conscientious objector Edo Ramon in prison for sixth time
Use this form to send the letter below to the relevant authority (Minister of Defence Moshe Ya`alon). You can add your own notes in a separate box after the standard text, if you wish. You must include a name, address, and email address; a copy will be sent to you with a cc to the WRI office (so we have a record of how many email letters have been sent out for this particular case).
Dear Moshe Ya'alon,
Edo Ramon, 18 years old from Kadima-Zoran, has been imprisoned for the sixth time for his refusal to join the Israeli military. In addition to the 65 days Edo has already spent in prison, 20 days was added to his sentence last week. Edo is in Military Prison 4.
Repeated imprisonment is a violation of international legal standards. In November 2014, the UN Human Rights Committee, in its Concluding observations, reiterated their concern that individuals whose conscientious objection applications are rejected may be repeatedly imprisoned. They called upon the Israeli authorities to refrain from repeated imprisonment for refusal to serve in the armed forces, which may constitute a violation of the principle of ne bis in idem.
Edo Ramon refuses to enlist in the Israeli Army based on beliefs and conscience. He claims his human right to conscientious objection, as guaranteed by Article 18 of the ICCPR. In a decision from January 2007, the United Nations Human Rights Committee recognised the right to conscientious objection as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as guaranteed by Article 18 ICCPR.
I urge you to immediately release Edo Ramon, all other conscientious objectors, and ensure that Edo is not re-imprisoned in future.
Yours sincerely,
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