Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

ECHR to Turkey: Refusal to grant conscientious objector status is not necessary in a democratic society

(12.06.2012) In today’s Chamber judgment in the case Savda v. Turkey (application no. 42730/05), the European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been:

- violations of Article 3 (prohibition of degrading treatment) and 9 (right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights; and

- a violation of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention on account of the lack of independence and impartiality of the military court.

Recognition of the right of conscientious objection

Violations of Articles 3, 6 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

(17.01.2012) The European Court of Human Rights ruled in a case of a Turkish conscientious objector that Article 3, Article 9 and Article 6 § 1 were violated.

The absence of an alternative to military service in Turkey is in breach of the right to conscientious objection

(22.11.2011) In today’s Chamber judgment in the case Erçep v. Turkey (application no. 43965/04), which is not final, the European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been:

A violation of Article 9 (right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights and,

A violation of Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the Convention.

The case concerned the refusal by the applicant, a Jehovah’s Witness and conscientious objector, to perform military service for reasons of conscience.

Armenia: Imprisonment of conscientious objector violated Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights

(07.07.2011) In today’s Grand Chamber judgment in the case Bayatyan v. Armenia (application no. 23459/03), which is final, the European Court of Human Rights held, by a majority, that there had been a violation of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case concerned the conviction in 2003 of a conscientious objector - a Jehovah’s Witness - for his refusal to perform military service. He was imprisoned despite Armenia’s undertaking, when joining the Council of Europe on 25 January 2001, to introduce civilian service as an alternative to compulsory military service within three years and to pardon all conscientious objectors sentenced to imprisonment.