Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Greece: EBCO deeply regrets conviction of conscientious objector

4 month suspended sentence of Menelaos Exioglou by military court

(18.12.2012) EBCO deeply regrets the conviction of young Greek conscientious objector Menelaos Exioglou to 4-month-imprisonment sentence suspended for one year, on charges of insubordination by the military court of Larisa, Greece, today, 18 December 2012. What is more, EBCO regrets that the Greek military court rejected the request of the defense to deem itself incompetent to try a civilian.

Turkmenistan: Conscientious Objector Juma Nazarov sentenced to 18 months‘ imprisonment

Call to send protest letters

(20.08.2012) War Resisters’ International is concerned about the recent sentencing of Juma Nazarov, a Jehovah’s Witness, for his conscientious objection to military service. Juma Nazarov, 19, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on 23 July for refusing military service on grounds of religious faith.

ECHR to Turkey: Judgment to Conscientious Objector Mehmet Tarhan

(17.07.2012) The applicant, Mehmet Tarhan, is a Turkish national who was born in 1977 and lives in Sivas (Turkey). The case concerns his refusal to do military service because of his pacifist beliefs. Having refused to wear a uniform, he was held in custody in the military prison, where he was subjected to disciplinary penalties for refusing to have his hair and beard cut, which was ultimately carried out forcefully by seven soldiers. Criminal proceedings were brought against him. Since his desertion in March 2006, the police have been looking for him; he faces fresh criminal proceedings and custody.

European Court for Human Rights found violation of Article 3 and violation of Article 9.

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.