Conscription 

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Turkey: The Current Situation Regarding Conscientious Objectors

Statement to the UN Human Rights Committee

(15.10.2012) Conscientious objection (CO) hasn't been accepted as a human right in Turkey. Conscientious objection is neither regulated as a right nor as an offence. This amounts to a legal ambiguity and conscientious objectors (COs) are charged with offences regulated in the Military Criminal Code, which do not correspond with their actions. Furthermore a vicious circle of being arrested, being sent to prison and released is still in force, with CO Inan SUVER as the latest example.

Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector two weeks in army

(10.08.2012) Jehovah’s Witness Amid Zohrabov, from Lokbatan near Baku, was forcibly conscripted into the army when he was summoned on 23 July by the local Conscription Office, Jehovah’s Witnesses complained to Forum 18. Members of this religious community worldwide are pacifist and refuse to do any form of military service.

Kazakhstan to start defence training for all

(09.08.2012) Kazakhstan will introduce universal military training for all adult citizens, according to a government decree published Thursday. "The goal of universal military training of citizens is to attract the population to civil defence activities, prepare for necessary contingencies, and build up the armed forces in the period of martial law," the document said.

Turkey says working to address conscientious objection

(27.06.2012) Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz has said his ministry is continuing to work on options for dealing with conscientious objectors. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the minister said their efforts are aimed at protecting the Turkish state from new fines to be imposed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) due to Turkey’s policy of mandatory military service. In Turkey, military service is compulsory for all male citizens over the age of 20; however, if a man is enrolled in an institution of higher learning, he is allowed to delay his service until he completes his education.