Conscientious objection to military service in Greece: Human Rights shortfalls

Report for the Human Rights Committee in relation to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and olitical Rights
February 2005 Submitted by: War Resisters' International 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9 !, "ritain #el $%%&20&'2'( %0%0) Fa* $%%&20&'2'( 0%%% +mail in,o -ri&ir./or.) -eb 0tt1:22-ri&ir./or. 1. Main Concerns 2. Introduction 3. Legal Situation 4. Issues 5. Development of CO in reece !. Conclusion ". Case Studies

1! "ain Concerns
Lengt# of su$stitute service is discriminator% and punitive. &nder present la'( conscientious o$)ectors *COs+ can #ave t#eir status repealed if t#e% refuse to perform t#e punitivel% long su$stitute service. ,#is is contrar% to -rticle 4 of &. Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123"" '#ic# states t#at 4States 'it# a s%stem of compulsor% militar% service( '#ere suc# provision #as not alread% $een made( of its recommendation t#at t#e% provide for conscientious o$)ectors various forms of alternative service '#ic# are compati$le 'it# t#e reasons for conscientious o$)ection( of a non5com$atant or civilian c#aracter( in t#e pu$lic interest and not of a punitive nature4. Previous UN Human Rights Committee rulings - most recently Foin vs France - decided that: any disparity in length is only permissible if it is based on "ob ective and reasonable criteria! such as the nature of the specific service concerned or the need for a special training in order to accomplish that service"617 and any disparity in length that discriminates against C"s on the basis of their conscience constitutes a violation of the principle of e#uality set forth in article $% of the Covenant& 't is also contrary to the recommendation of the Committee of (inisters of the Council of )urope R*+,*-! .hich states that "the duration of service should be reasonable and should not be tantamount to a /punishment0"627 ree8 CO la' e9cludes '#ole groups from appl%ing for CO status. ,#ere is no case $% case decision and t#e capacit% to c#ange one:s convictions is not ta8en into account. Conscientious o$)ectors s#ould #ave t#e rig#t to claim conscientious o$)ector status at an% time( $ot# up to and after entering t#e armed forces. -t present( t#ere is no possi$ilit% to appl% during or after militar% service and professional soldiers are e9cluded entirel% from appl%ing for CO status.

1his is despite the fact that $ UN Commission on Human Rights resolutions recommend that this is not the case& Resolution 23345*6 "affirms that persons performing compulsory military service should not be e7cluded from the right to have conscientious ob ections to military service" and the later resolution 233*5++ recognises that "persons performing military service may develop conscientious ob ections"& -t present( $ureaucratic procedures prevent people from e9ercising t#eir rig#t to CO. Su$stitute service must $e under civilian aut#orit% and not under militar% aut#orit% *Ministr% of Defence+ 5 including in t#e e9aminations of applications for conscientious o$)ection. -t present( -rticle 2;( paragrap# 1 and -rticle 21( paragrap# 3 *d+ of La' 251;31" put su$stitute service de facto under partial militar% aut#orit%. 8ringing the substitute service under civilian authority .ould fulfil 9rticle 4 of UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 233*5++ .hich calls on states to "establish independent and impartial decision-ma:ing bodies .ith the tas: of determining .hether a conscientious ob ection is genuinely held in a specific case"& ,#e provision of su$stitute service must never $e derogated from( including in time of 'ar. 9lthough 9rticle 6 paragraph 2 of the 'nternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ,'CCPR- provides for special measures in time of public emergency .hich threatens the life of the nation! paragraph $ of the same article states that: "No derogation from 9rticle %! +! * ,paragraphs 2 and $-! 22! 2;! 2%! and 2* may be made under this provision"& &nder present procedures( COs are tried more t#an once for t#e same offence. 1his is clearly in contradiction to 9rticle ; of UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 233*5++ .hich states that "<tates should ta:e the necessary measures to refrain from sub ecting conscientious ob ectors to imprisonment and to repeated punishment for failure to perform military service! and recalls that no one shall be liable or punished again for an offence for .hich he has already been finally convicted or ac#uitted in accordance .ith the la. and penal procedure of each country"=4> 't is also in contradiction to 9rticle 26 paragraph + of the 'nternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,'CCPR-: "No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for .hich he has been finally convicted or ac#uitted in accordance .ith the la. and penal procedure of each country&" 't also contravenes Commission on Human Rights resolution $??$56; .hich ta:es note of recommendation $ of the @or:ing Aroup on 9rbitrary Betention aimed at preventing the udicial system of <tates from being used to force conscientious ob ectors to change their convictions& -t present( conscientious o$)ectors '#o carr% out trade unionist activities or participate in a stri8e during t#eir su$stitute service can #ave t#eir CO status revo8ed. 1his contravenes 9rticle % of UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 233*5++ .hich states that "<tates! in their la. and practice! must not discriminate against conscientious ob ectors in relation to their terms or conditions of service! or any economic! social! cultural! civil or political rights"& Conscientious o$)ectors *'it# legal proceedings against t#em+ must recover t#eir full civil and personal rig#ts( including t#at of travel outside t#e countr%( t#e rig#t to a passport and identit% card( and t#e rig#t to vote. 1he practice that C"s on trial have their civil and personal rights revo:ed is in contradiction to 9rticle 26! paragraph $ of the 'nternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ,'CCPR- .hich states that ")veryone charged .ith a criminal offence shall have the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to la.&"647

#! Introduction

#0is re1ort ,o3uses on t0e situation o, 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors in 5ree3e/ 5ree3e -as t0e last +uro1ean 6nion 3ountry to re3o.nise t0e ri.0t to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion -0en it ,inally did so in 199'/ 7o-e8er, des1ite t0is re3o.nition, t0ere remain se8eral 1roblems and dis3riminatory 1ra3ti3es a.ainst 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors/ #0e issue o, 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion in 5ree3e is 3om1le*, -it0 3ertain .rou1s bein. e*3luded at t0e outset ,rom a11lyin. ,or C9 status and -it0 t0e obli.ation to ad0ere to stri3t 1ro3edural .uidelines ,or t0ose -0o are eli.ible to a11ly/ :oreo8er, t0e 1ro8ision o, substitute ser8i3e ,or 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors is riddled -it0 3om1li3ations and t0us ,urt0er dis3riminates a.ainst C9s/ W0ilst, t0is re1ort loo;s at 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion in 5ree3e, it is -ort0 notin. 0ere t0at t0e numerous issues and 1roblems -it0 t0e la-s, 1ro3edures and 1ra3ti3es relatin. to 3ons3ri1tion and to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion in 5ree3e 0a8e -ide&ran.in. and serious so3ial im1li3ations ,or 5ree; men o, 3ons3ri1tion a.e and t0eir ,amilies/ :any o, t0ese su30 as substitute ser8i3e ,or3in. C9s a-ay ,rom t0e labour mar;et and t0eir ,amilies ,or len.t0y 1eriods are tou30ed u1on in t0e re1ort/ 7o-e8er, in addition to t0ese issues, numerous 1roblems arise ,rom t0e s0eer number o, 3ons3ri1ts -0o a8oid military ser8i3e t0rou.0 alternati8e <side&door' means/ For e*am1le, 3ons3ri1ts may .o into 0idin., mo8e abroad or <1lay t0e 3ra=y 3ard'/ >s su30, t0ey are unable to 1arti3i1ate in 5ree; so3iety -0i30 o, 3ourse im1a3ts on 5ree; 1oliti3al, so3ial and e3onomi3 li,e, es1e3ially 8ia t0e labour mar;et/ War Resisters' International 3losely monitors t0e situation o, 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors in 5ree3e and -or;s to.et0er -it0 t0e >sso3iation o, 5ree; C9s ? $%&'()*+) ,&-.//0).1& $%&(.'0)02 & S>S@ and >mnesty International 5ree; se3tion to 0i.0li.0t t0e numerous and ,reAuent 8iolations o, t0e 0uman ri.0ts o, 5ree; C9s by t0e 5ree; aut0orities/ #0is re1ort is based on in,ormation ,rom o,,i3ial 5ree; military material, 3ase studies o, indi8idual 5ree; 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors and 1re8ious re1orts and resear30 by WRI, S>S and >I/ It re,ers to se8eral national, +uro1ean and international la-s and dra-s on t0e re3ommendations o, numerous 5ree;, +uro1ean and international bodies/ #0e re1ort ,o3uses 1rimarily on t0e re3ommendations o, t0e 6nited Nations, and alt0ou.0 ot0er standards are re,erred to, ,or t0e most 1art, -e 0a8e a8oided Auotin. too many re3ommendations by ot0er bodies ?su30 as t0e Coun3il o, +uro1e@ in order to a8oid unne3essary du1li3ations/ #0e <main 3on3erns' outlined abo8e are t0e 3ore 1roblems relatin. to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion and its re3o.nition in 5ree3e/ #0is re1ort -ill illustrate 0o- t0e situation in 5ree3e 3onstitutes a 8iolation o, se8eral national and international la-s and resolutions, and t0us 3alls ,or 5ree3e to ma;e t0e ne3essary ste1s to 3ome into line -it0 internationally re3o.nised standards/

3! 4egal 5ituation
Conscription 6 military service:
Cons3ri1tion -as establis0ed, dire3tly and e*1ressly, in >rti3le %, 1ara.ra10 B, o, t0e 19'5 Constitution/ >33ordin. to t0is all 5ree; males -0o are 3a1able o, bearin. arms & -it0 sole essential 3riteria bein. t0eir 10ysi3al and mental 3a1a3ity to bear arms and res1ond to military li,e & are obli.ed to 3ontribute to t0e 3ountry's de,en3e, as determined by t0e la-/ Cons3ri1tion is ,urt0er re.ulated by La- 'C1219'', as amended in 19(( ?1'BC219((@/ >ll 5ree; men,rom t0e ,irst o, Danuary o, t0e year durin. -0i30 t0ey be3ome 19 years o, a.e until t0e C1st o, e3ember o, t0e year durin. -0i30 t0ey 3om1lete t0eir %5 t0 year are obli.ed to ser8e in t0e >rmed For3es/ #0is in3ludes all males born to eit0er a 5ree; ,at0er or mot0er, -0o automati3ally a3Auire 5ree; 3iti=ens0i1 and t0us be3ome liable ,or military ser8i3e & re.ardless o, -0et0er t0ey -is0 to 1ossess 5ree; 3iti=ens0i1 and re.ardless o,

-0et0er t0ey also 0old 3iti=ens0i1 o, anot0er 3ountry/ In 1ra3ti3e, t0e ma4ority o, 5ree;s 3om1lete t0eir military ser8i3e bet-een t0e a.es o, 20 and C0/ Reser8ist obli.ations a11ly u1 to t0e a.e o, 50) reser8ists are 1eriodi3ally 3alled u1 ,or reser8ist trainin./ >33ordin. to 3urrent le.islation, t0e duration o, ,ull military ser8i3e is t-el8e ?12@ mont0s ,or t0e >rmy, Na8y, and >ir For3e/ Sub4e3t to t0e 1eriodi3 needs o, t0e >rmed For3es, and a,ter a de3ision o, t0e :inister o, e,en3e, it is 1ossible t0at enlistees -ill be released eit0er be,ore t0e 3om1letion o, t0e military ser8i3e or, in some 3ases, a,ter a lon.er 1eriod o, ser8i3e/ In 3ertain 3ases, 3ons3ri1ts or soldiers are eli.ible ,or redu3ed ser8i3e & to C, B, 9 or 12 mont0s/ #0ose eli.ible in3lude ?but are not 3on,ined to@: t0e -ido-ed ,at0er o, at least one ali8e minor or un,it ,or any -or; 30ild, one -0o ser8ed under a military 3a1a3ity in t0e re.ular armed ,or3es o, anot0er state ,or a 1eriod o, time o, at least si* mont0s, anyone -0o 0as an un,it ,or -or; -i,e, t0e only or t0e eldest son o, de3eased 1arents/ Cons3ri1ts 3omin. under t0e ,ollo-in. 3ate.ories are eli.ible ,or de,erment o, t0eir military ser8i3e: students, 3andidate students o, 0i.0er s30ool or uni8ersity and t0ose obtainin. sea ser8i3e, t0ose -it0 a brot0er in ser8i3e, 1ermanent ,orei.n residents, 1ersons ser8in. ,or t0e >rmed For3es o, a ,orei.n Country, t0ose si.ned u1 as sailors, naturali=ed aliens, 1ersons 3omin. ,rom a 3ountry o, t0e ,ormer +astern "lo3; or #ur;ey, 0os1italised, 3on,ined or e*iled 1ersons and de,erment on 3ertain medi3al .rounds/ 9lder 3ons3ri1ts are .ranted t0e 1ossibility to ser8e only a 3ertain 1art o, t0eir military ser8i3e and, a33ordin. to t0eir a.e and marital status, buy o,, t0e remainin. time/

Conscientious objection to military service:

#0e ri.0t to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion is le.ally re3o.nised -it0 t0e 199' La- on Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion ?251029'@, -0i30 3ame into e,,e3t on 1 Danuary 199(/ >33ordin. toarti3le 1(, 1ara.ra10 1 o, t0is la-, "Those who invoke their religious or ideological convictions in order not to fulfil their draft obligations for reasons of conscience, may be recognized as conscientious objectors"/ >11li3ants ,or C9 status are e*1e3ted to ma;e out a s1e3i,i3 3ase relatin. t0e .rounds o, t0eir ob4e3tion "with a general perception of life, based on conscientious religious, philosophical or moral convictions, which are inviolably applied by the person and are expressed by a corresponding behaviour" ?arti3le 1(, 1ara 2@/ It s0ould be noted t0at t0e amendment to t0e 3onstitution -0i30 re3o.nises C9 status on non&reli.ious .rounds -as made only re3ently & in 2000E5F/ #0ere are no le.al 1ro8isions ,or 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion ,or 1ro,essional soldiers/ #0e La- on Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion a11lies only to 3ons3ri1ts/ #0e ,ollo-in. .rou1s are automati3ally e*3luded ,rom a11lyin. ,or C9 status: persons '#o #ave alread% reported for armed dut% eit#er in ree8 or foreign militar% forces or an% securit% forces *li8e customs( police etc.+( non regarding its lengt#6!7. persons in possession of a #unting permit or #aving applied for one or $eing active in #unting associations. ,#is means t#at all #unters( a$out 3;;(;;; ree8 men in t#e age for conscription( are e9cluded. persons '#o #ave $een prosecuted or sentenced for t#e possession of arms or ammunition( or illegal use of violence. So even if t#e prosecution 'as $ased on 'rong assumptions( t#e person is e9cluded from t#e ac8no'ledgement as a CO. #0e ,ollo-in. 1ro3edures must be ad0ered to -0en a11lyin. ,or C9 status: -c8no'ledgement of CO status comes onl% t#roug# a decision of t#e Defence Minister $ased on t#e statement of a committee '#ic# is made after revie'ing t#e application or after a personal #earing. -ccording to -rticle 2; of La' 251;3111"( all CO claims are e9amined $% a special committee '#ic# falls under t#e aut#orit% of t#e Ministr% of Defense. ,#e committee

consists of one legal e9pert '#o acts as c#airperson( t'o universit% professors *specialised in t#e fields of political science( sociolog% or la'+ and t'o militar% officers of #ig# ran8 *one from t#e recruitment office and one ps%c#iatrist of t#e armed forces+. -pplicants ma% $e ordered to participate in a personal intervie' 'it# t#e commission( during '#ic# t#e% are e9pected to ma8e t#eir case relating t#e grounds of t#eir o$)ection ".ith a general perception of life! based on conscientious religious! philosophical or moral convictions! .hich are inviolably applied by the person and are e7pressed by a corresponding behaviour" *as laid do'n in -rticle 12( para 2 of t#e La'+. ,#e committee ma8es a consultative decision $ut t#e MOD usuall% accepts t#e decisions of t#e committee. If an applicant is refused CO status( #e can ma8e an appeal and a petition for postponement of t#e enlistment( '#ic# #e must $ring to t#e aut#orities 'it#in 5 da%s from t#e date #e ma8es t#e petition6"7. -ccording to par. 4 of article 12 of t#e La'( applicants must produce a variet% of documents < certificates 5 suc# as a cop% of t#e applicant:s criminal record proving t#at a person #as not $een convicted or even prosecuted of a violent crime( a certificate from t#e local =olice Station verif%ing t#at a person #as not applied for a gun licence and anot#er certificate from t#e >orest =u$lic Service confirming t#at a person does not #ave a license for #unting. ,#e time limit for su$mitting CO applications states t#at applications can onl% $e made $efore starting militar% service 5 t#e deadline is t#e da% $efore enlistment.

5ubstitute service
C0a1ter C, arti3le 1(, 1ara C o, La- 251029' ma;es 1ro8ision ,or substitute ser8i3e: Gt0e 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors are 3alled u1 to o,,er eit0er an unarmed military ser8i3e or an alternati8e 3i8il or so3ial ser8i3eG #0e 5ree; la- on C9 -as amended in >u.ust 200%E(F, so t0at no- 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors 3om1lete t0eir substitute ser8i3e a,ter ser8in. t-i3e t0e time o, military ser8i3e minus 1 mont0/ In t0eory t0is amounts to bet-een 5 and 2C mont0s, but in 1ra3ti3e in most 3ases it amounts to 2C mont0s o, ser8i3e/ >33ordin. to t0e terms and 3onditions o, t0e substitute ser8i3e, t0e re3o.ni=ed ob4e3tors are not sub4e3ted to a military le.al status but t0ey remain 3i8ilians/ 7o-e8er, >rti3le 21, 1ara C ?b@ o, La- 25102199' 3onsiders Gt0ose -0o ser8e an alternati8e 3i8il ser8i3e E///F as Auasi enlisted in t0e armed ,or3esG/ ?#0is is an ambi.uity t0at -ill be tou30ed u1on later/@ C9s ser8in. substitute ser8i3e are entitled to ,ree ,ood and s0elter, a33ordin. to arti3le 21 o, La- 25102199', and i, t0is is not 1ossible t0e 1resent salary o, C9s ser8in. t0e Substitute Ser8i3e is 210,'0 euros/ 6narmed military ser8i3e is ,rom % mont0s and 15 days to 1( mont0s/

7! Issues
roblems concerning the right to conscientious objection:
#0e La- on Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion does not 3om1ly -it0 se8eral 6N and international standards on C9/ #0ere are a number o, 1roblems -it0 t0e e*3lusions listed abo8e as -ell as -it0 t0e a3tual a11li3ation 1ro3edure ,or C9s: ?% den%ing t#e rig#t to conscientious o$)ection to an% person falling 'it#in t#e strict categories listed a$ove( including to serving conscripts( reservists and professional soldiers( t#e la' relies on an e9tremel% narro' definition of 4religious or ideological convictions" and does not allo' for t#e capacit% to c#ange. -lt#oug# ree8 la' recogni@es t#e rig#t of conscientious o$)ectors to s'itc# at an% time from su$stitute service to militar% service( it contains no provision for conscientious o$)ection developed during militar% service 5 t#e

possi$ilit% of '#ic# is recognised in &. Commission on /uman 0ig#ts resolutions 1113324 and 11123""A 4persons performing compulsor% militar% service s#ould not $e e9cluded from t#e rig#t to #ave conscientious o$)ections to militar% service4*1113324+ and 4persons performing militar% service ma% develop conscientious o$)ections4 *11123""+. In fact t#e la' activel% e9cludes serving conscripts from appl%ing for CO status. ,#e e9clusions appl% even to CO applicants '#o #ave $een prosecuted $ut not c#arged for t#e possession of arms or ammunition( or illegal use of violence. ,#is is in contradiction to -rticle 14( paragrap# 2 of t#e International Covenant on Civil and =olitical 0ig#ts *ICC=0+ '#ic# states t#at 4Bver%one c#arged 'it# a criminal offence s#all #ave t#e rig#t to $e presumed innocent until proved guilt% according to la'.4617 Due to t#e strict deadlines and $ureaucrac% involved in t#e provision of certificates( in several cases( applicants #ave not $een a$le to respond in time for t#e CO application deadline $ecause man% pu$lic services do not issue t#e various documents3certificates t#at are reCuired $% t#e recruitment office in a timel% manner61;7. ,#e deadlines and t#e e9clusions a$ove do not ta8e into account t#e fact t#at information on t#e option of CO is not made freel% availa$le to potential conscripts. ,#is lac8 of information paired 'it# t#e sporadic referral of CO applicants to t#e relevant aut#orities often results in applications for CO $eing initiated '#en it is too late and t#eir rig#t to appl% for CO #as alread% $een revo8ed. ,#is lac8 of information is contrar% to -rticle 2 of t#e &. Commission on /uman 0ig#ts resolution 11123"" '#ic# 4affirms t#e importance of t#e availa$ilit% of information a$out t#e rig#t to conscientious o$)ection to militar% service( and t#e means of acCuiring conscientious o$)ector status( to all persons affected $% militar% service46117. ,#is lac8 of transparenc% is also apparent in t#e fact t#at applications must $e made to t#e Ministr% of Defence. ,#e intervie'ing committee for CO applicants is set up and controlled $% t#e MOD and contains 2 mem$ers of militar% personnel. iven t#at t#e militar% #as an active interest in 8eeping t#e num$er of COs to a minimum( in order to $e fair and impartial( applications s#ould $e considered $% an entirel% civilian panel void of conflicting interests and t#e entire process s#ould $e overseen $% a civilian $od%6127( as called for in -rticle 3 of t#e &. Commission on /uman 0ig#ts resolution 11123""6137. It is 'ort# noting #ere t#at t#e la's( procedures and practices relating to CO in reece often result in t#e real num$er of COs $eing distorted. >or t#e reasons identified a$ove( ree8 men of conscription age *and potential COs+ avoid militar% service $% going into #iding( claiming e9emption under anot#er la' 5 often $% Dpla%ing t#e cra@% card:( $% arrangements 'it# t#e unit itself( or $% ot#er met#ods *Dside5door CO:+. ,#is means t#at official figures on t#e num$er of COs often do not reflect t#e realit% of CO in reece.

roblems 8ith the provision of substitute service:

es1ite its 1ro8ision under 5ree; la-, t0e 3onditions ,or substitute ser8i3e are 3learly 1uniti8e and dis3riminate a.ainst C9s as illustrated belo-: COs are discriminated against 'it# su$stitute service t#at is considera$l% longer t#an militar% service( currentl% t'ice t#e time of militar% service minus 1 mont#. ,#is e9tended lengt# effectivel% represents a form a punis#ment for conscientious o$)ectors. It is in clear $reac# of several internationall% recognised standardsA o >irstl%( it is in $reac# of -rticle ! of &. resolution 11123"" '#ic# reiterates an affirmation made in a previous resolutionA 4States( in t#eir la' and practice( must not discriminate against conscientious o$)ectors in relation to t#eir terms and conditions of service( or an% economic( cultural( civil or political rig#ts4.6147 o Secondl%( it is in $reac# of t#e 112" Council of Burope recommendation regarding CO6157

,#irdl%( it contradicts earlier &. /uman 0ig#ts Committee decisions( most recentl% >oin vs >rance( '#ic# found t#at an% disparit% in lengt# is onl% permissi$le if it is $ased on 4o$)ective and reasona$le criteria( suc# as t#e nature of t#e specific service concerned or t#e need for a special training in order to accomplis# t#at service461!7 o >inall%( as #ig#lig#ted $% Eua8er Council >or Buropean -ffairs *ECB-+ collective complaint no.2( t#e punitive lengt# of su$stitute service is in $reac# of =art 2( -rticle 1( paragrap# 2 of t#e Buropean Social C#arter '#ic# provides t#at 4Fit# a vie' to ensuring t#e effective e9ercise of t#e rig#t to 'or8( t#e Contracting =arties underta8eG to protect effectivel% t#e rig#t of t#e 'or8er to earn #is living in an occupation freel% entered upon461"7. -ccording to -rticle 24( para 2 of t#e la'( in t#e case of 'ar t#e measures setting out su$stitute service can $e suspended $% t#e decision of t#e MOD. COs performing su$stitute service 'ill t#en $e incorporated into t#e compulsor% unarmed militar% service. ,#is part of t#e la' contradicts =art 2( -rticle 12( paragrap# 3 of t#e International Covenant on Civil and =olitical 0ig#ts *ICC=0+ '#ic# states t#at 4>reedom to manifest one:s religion or $eliefs ma% $e su$)ect onl% to suc# limitations as are prescri$ed $% la' and are necessar% to protect pu$lic safet%( order( #ealt#( or morals or t#e fundamental rig#ts and freedoms of ot#ers46127. It is also in $reac# of -rticle 4( paragrap# 2 of ICC=0( '#ic# states t#atA 4.o derogation from -rticle !( "( 2 *paragrap#s 1 and 2+( 11( 15( 1!( and 12 ma% $e made 6...74. Conscientious o$)ectors #aving $een sentenced for t#eir Doffence: are usuall% called up for militar% service again6117. ,#is practice of tr%ing COs for more t#an one Doffence: of draft evasion or desertion is contrar% to 3 important( internationall% recognised standards. o >irstl%( it violates &. standards on t#e rig#t to a fair trial. More specificall%( regarding conscientious o$)ection( t#is practice contravenes -rticle 5 of &nited .ations Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123"" '#ic# 4Bmp#asi@es t#at States s#ould ta8e t#e necessar% measures to refrain from su$)ecting conscientious o$)ectors to imprisonment and to repeated punis#ment for failure to perform militar% service( and recalls t#at no one s#all $e lia$le or punis#ed again for an offence for '#ic# #e #as alread% $een convicted or acCuitted in accordance 'it# t#e la' and penal procedure of eac# countr%.4 o In addition( it contravenes Commission on /uman 0ig#ts resolution 2;;2345 '#ic# ta8es note of recommendation 2 of t#e For8ing roup on -r$itrar% Detention aimed at preventing t#e )udicial s%stem of States from $eing used to force conscientious o$)ectors to c#ange t#eir convictions. o >urt#er( it is in contradiction to -rticle 14 paragrap# " of t#e International Covenant on Civil and =olitical 0ig#ts *ICC=0+A 4.o one s#all $e lia$le to $e tried or punis#ed again for an offence for '#ic# #e #as $een finall% convicted or acCuitted in accordance 'it# t#e la' and penal procedure of eac# countr%.4 -lt#oug# COs are t#eoreticall% entitled to free food and s#elter( often t#is is not possi$le and t#e prescri$ed salar% of 21;."; is not usuall% enoug# 5 even to cover rent62;7. Indeed( in reece( 'elfare pa%ment for unemplo%ed people is significantl% more given t#at t#e average mont#l% pa%ment is 32;.256217 *minimumH311.25G ma9imumH321.25+. ,#is amounts to economic discrimination against COs '#ic# clearl% violates -rticle ! of t#e &nited .ations Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123""6227. ,#e ma)orit% of COs are reCuired to serve far from #ome6237. La' 251;31"( article 11 e9cludes t#e Districts of -t#ens and ,#essaloni8i from places suita$le for an o$)ector to carr% out su$stitute service( and a su$seCuent ministerial decision *$ased on t#e la'+ added 4 more $ig cities of #ig# population in t#e list of t#is e9clusion. ,#e la' also e9cludes COs from serving at t#e place t#at #e lives( at #is place of #is origin or at #is place of $irt# *t#e place of origin and place of $irt# are considered distinct( so( for e9ample( if a CO 'ere $orn in a #ospital in anot#er to'n( t#is to'n 'ill also $e e9cludedI+. It 'ould not $e unfair to emp#asi@e t#at t#e a$ove 'ide e9clusion rat#er tends to render t#e
o

ever%da% life of an o$)ector as difficult as possi$le *'it#out access to man% facilities+( '#ereas $ig militar% units are still around several $ig cities of reece. ,#ese punitive measures also suggest t#at t#e state is tr%ing to eliminate t#e possi$ilit% of a CO serving some'#ere t#at #e could #ave accommodation for free *eg. a relatives: #ouse+. So( in practice( COs #ave to pa% rent '#ic# means t#at onl% t#e ric#er COs can perform t#e su$stitute service( '#ic# clearl% discriminates against t#ose una$le to pa%. Once again( t#is practice is in contradiction to -rticle ! of t#e &nited .ations Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123""6247. COs '#o are in t#e process of $eing tried for t#eir Doffence*s+: are refused t#e rig#t to leave t#e countr% and t#eir relatives #ave in some cases $een #arassed $% police6257. -ccording to -rticle 14( paragrap# 2 of t#e International Covenant on Civil and =olitical 0ig#ts *ICC=0+ 4Bver%one c#arged 'it# a criminal offence s#all #ave t#e rig#t to $e presumed innocent until proved guilt% according to la'.462!7 ,#erefore( COs in t#e process of $eing tried for t#eir Doffence*s+: s#ould retain t#eir rig#ts as ree8 citi@ens( including t#e rig#t outlined in -rticle 13 of t#e &niversal Declaration of /uman 0ig#ts( '#ic# states t#atA "everyone has the right to leave any country! including his o.n! and to return to his country&"62"7 - recognised CO '#o does not report for su$stitute service on time( $ecomes an 4-nipJta8tos4 *o$)ector to conscription+ and is prosecuted under t#e militar% la'. -s an 4-nipJta8tos4 #e looses #is CO status. ,#is section of ree8 CO la' is e9tremel% confusing since it leaves COs in a Dlim$o: situation $et'een t#e militar% and civilian aut#orities. ,#is is illustrated in t#e case of La@aros =etromelidis '#o 'as told $% a ,#essoloni8i militar% court in >e$ruar% 2;;4 t#at #e could not $e tried $ecause #e is a civilian. /o'ever( since civilian courts #ave no process for issues related to militar% la'( #e 'as left 'it#out recourse to eit#er militar% or civilian aut#orities. ,#e legalities of suc# issues are t#erefore e9tremel% ill5t#oug#t out and confused. -ccording to -rticle 21( para 2 of t#e la'( t#e time5frame 'it#in '#ic# COs serving su$stitute service must report for dut% is determined as starting from t#e date t#at a summons from relevant militar% aut#orities of t#e Ministr% of .ational Defence is sent. If a CO does not report for dut% $% t#e date stated in t#e said letter( #e faces $eing c#arged 'it# insu$ordination as descri$ed a$ove. iven t#e strict punis#ment for not reporting for dut% on time( it is unreasona$le t#at t#e summons commences from t#e date it is actuall% sent and t#us a COs prompt arrival for dut% relies on t#e infalli$ilit% of t#e ree8 postal service. Importantl%( t#e period of time given to COs to report for su$stitute service is not specified $% la' and is t#erefore open to an% interpretation. - recruiting office can use its discretionar% po'ers to deprive an o$)ector of #is rig#t to do su$stitute service and revo8e #is status as a CO *provided for in c#apter C( article 21( para 5 of La' 251;31"+. ,#is occurs as a form of punis#ment for non5performance of #is dut% or for a commitment of an% disciplinar% offence inside t#e pu$lic institution or even for an% irregular a$sence from #is duties. ,#is means t#at even in t#e event of a one da% or a one #our a$sence( according to t#e )udgment of #is supervisor( a CO can #ave #is status revo8ed. ,#ese discretionar% po'ers also appl% in t#e event of a CO participating in trade unionist activities( for e9ample in a stri8e. In cases suc# as t#ese '#ere a CO #as #is status revo8ed( #e is t#en forced( under =aragrap# ! of t#e article( to serve t#e remaining part of #is militar% o$ligations in t#e arm%. /o'ever( onl% #alf t#e time spent at t#e place of su$stitute service is considered( so t#at if a CO #as done 4 mont#s of su$stitute service( t#e aut#orities consider t#at #e #as done onl% 2 mont#s6227. In addition to t#is( in ever% case( a CO must do at least ! mont#s of militar% service( regardless of t#e amount of time alread% spent doing su$stitute service6217. ,#e same applies in t#e event t#at a CO c#anges voluntaril% from t#e su$stitute to t#e militar% service63;7. ,#is aspect of t#e La' is e9tremel% discriminator% for 2 reasonsA firstl%( a disciplinar%

offence s#ould not result in t#e loss of CO status( and secondl%( according to -rticle ! of t#e &nited .ations Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123""6317( COs s#ould not $e discriminated against so t#at t#e% lose political rig#ts suc# as t#e rig#t to stri8e or ta8e industrial action. Indeed( t#e ree8 Om$udsman #as declared t#e practice unaccepta$le and #as reCuested t#at t#e MOD 'it#dra' t#e current provision t#at allo's t#e recruiting offices to deprive COs of t#eir CO status and call t#em again to serve a militar% service6327. One of t#e most important issues regarding t#e pro$lems of COs in reece is t#at t#e su$stitute service is totall% controlled $% t#e Ministr% of Defence( even in t#e initial stage of e9amining t#e applications for CO status. Indeed( -rticle 21( para 3 *$+ considers 4t#ose '#o serve an alternative civil service 6...7 as Cuasi enlisted in t#e armed forces4. -lt#oug# t#e recogni@ed o$)ectors are 5 supposedl%( under t#e terms and conditions of service 5 not su$)ected to a militar% legal status $ut remain civilians( t#e control of su$stitute service $eing in t#e #ands of t#e MOD causes a contradiction 'it# 'ide5ranging implications( particularl% for t#ose '#o ma% #ave t#eir CO status revo8ed and face trial in a militar% courtI -ccording to t#e international standards and recommendations( t#e entire institution of su$stitute service s#ould #ave a completel% civilian c#aracter( so if a committee is provided in order to e9amine t#e applications( it s#ould #ave no militar% mem$ers and s#ould not report to militar% aut#orities. -s suc#( -rticle 3 of t#e &nited .ations Commission on /uman 0ig#ts 0esolution 11123"" 4Calls upon States t#at do not #ave suc# a s%stem to esta$lis# independent and impartial decision5ma8ing $odies 'it# t#e tas8 of determining '#et#er a conscientious o$)ection is genuinel% #eld in a specific case( ta8ing account of t#e reCuirement not to discriminate against conscientious o$)ectors on t#e $asis of t#e nature of t#eir particular $eliefs.4 ,#erefore( an independent civilian aut#orit% s#ould replace t#e a$ove committee of t#e Ministr% of Defense( as t#e ree8 .ational Commission for /uman 0ig#ts and t#e ree8 Om$udsman #ave also suggested6337.

9! :evelopment of C; in Greece
5ree3e 0as a lon. 0istory o, re1ression o, C9s/ For de3ades 5ree3e re,used to re3o.nise t0e ri.0t to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion/ Sin3e t0e 1950's, a11ro*imately C,500 C9s 0a8e been im1risoned/ Initially most -ere De0o8a0's Witnesses, but sin3e t0e 19(0's t0ere 0as been a .ro-in. number o, ot0er C9s ins1ired by se3ular, 1a3i,ist, 1oliti3al or ot0er moti8es/ #0e ri.0t to C9 -as ,irst re3o.nised under 5ree; la- on 1 st Danuary 199(, almost 11 years a,ter t0e ,irst non&reli.ious C9 a11eared, and it establis0es t0e 1ossibility ,or a substitute ser8i3e/ 5ree3e -as t0e last +6 3ountry to re3o.nise t0e ri.0t to C9/ urin. 199', about 250 De0o8a0's Witnesses -ere ser8in. 1rison senten3es ,or e*er3isin. t0eir ri.0t to C9 on reli.ious .rounds/EC%F In t0e ,irst C mont0s a,ter t0e la- re3o.nisin. C9 3ame into ,or3e, about (0&100 1eo1le a11lied ,or C9 status/ 9, t0ese, 9 -ere non&reli.ious C9s and t0e rest reli.ious ?De0o8a0's Witnesses@/ "y 1999, t0ere -ere more t0an 200 C9s 1er,ormin. substitute ser8i3e/EC5F 6ntil Dune 200C, ''1 a11li3ations ,or C9 status 0ad been submitted, o, -0i30 '5( -ere a33e1tedECBF/ "e,ore t0e re3o.nition o, C9 and sin3e ?due to t0e 3om1le*ity o, 1ro3edures and t0e dis3riminatory treatment C9s ,a3e@, many 1otential 3ons3ri1ts and C9s 0a8e attem1ted to a8oid military ser8i3e t0rou.0 alternati8e <side&door' means/ Cons3ri1ts may 3laim e*em1tion by mo8in. abroad ,or lon. 1eriods o, time, by <1layin. t0e 3ra=y 3ard' ?.ettin. 3erti,ied as mentally ill@, by enrollin. as students, by arran.ements -it0 t0e unit itsel,, or by ot0er met0ods/ #0is means t0at in addition to t0e ;no-n 3ases o, C9, t0ere are se8eral ot0ers -0i30 are not o,,i3ially re1orted so t0at o,ten, o,,i3ial ,i.ures on t0e number o, C9s do not re,le3t t0e reality o, C9 in 5ree3e/ 9,,i3ials estimate t0e number o, 5ree; men in

0idin. as bet-een (,000 and C5,000, but C9 su11ort .rou1s estimate t0e number to be some-0ere bet-een %0,000 and '0,000EC'F/ #0e la3; o, trans1aren3y re.ardin. t0e -0ole 1ro3ess o, 1er,ormin. military or substitute ser8i3e means t0at o,ten 3ons3ri1ts are not e8en a-are t0at t0ey 0a8e t0e ri.0t to a11ly ,or C9 status/ So, t0e number o, a11li3ations ,or C9 status is de1endent on t0e military 1ro8idin. 3ons3ri1ts -it0 t0e in,ormation ne3essary to ma;e t0eir a11li3ation in time and be re,erred to t0e 3ommittee/ 98er t0e years, t0e 5ree; .o8ernment 0as been ur.ed on numerous o33asions by se8eral inter&.o8ernmental bodies to brin. its 1oli3y to-ards C9s in 3om1lian3e -it0 international standards on 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion, in3ludin.: In -ugust 1111( t#e Om$udsman for Citi@en:s 0ig#ts *Citi@en:s -dvocate+ issued a series of constructive recommendations includingA t#e partial demilitarisation of t#e su$stitute service( a decrease in t#e lengt# of service( t#e a$olition of t#e unconstitutional possi$ilit% to c#ange t#e status of a CO $ac8 to t#at of a draftee( t#e introduction of t#e same special categories of s#orter service as for militar% service and t#e inclusion of . O:s to t#e groups of institutions in '#ic# suc# service can $e carried out. In 2;;1( t#e Buropean =arliament in a resolution( called on reece to recognise t#e rig#t to conscientious o$)ection to militar% service 'it#out restriction( and 'it#out reference to an% religious grounds( to introduce forms of su$stitute service '#ic# do not last longer t#an compulsor% militar% service and to release immediatel% all t#ose serving prison sentences in t#is connection6327. In t#e same %ear( follo'ing a collective complaint $% t#e Eua8er Council for Buropean -ffairs *ECB-+( t#e Buropean Committee of Social 0ig#ts concluded t#at t#e duration of su$stitute service amounted to a disproportionate restriction on 4t#e rig#t of t#e 'or8er to earn #is living in an occupation freel% entered upon4 and violates -rticle 1.2 of t#e Buropean Social C#arter( as su$stitute service 8eeps COs a'a% from t#e la$our mar8et for a time disproportionatel% longer t#an conscripts in t#e armed forces6317. -lso in 2;;1( t#e .ational Committee for /uman 0ig#ts *an independent administrative aut#orit%+ as8ed t#at t#e management of su$stitute service must not $e under t#e )urisdiction of t#e Ministr% of .ational Defence( and t#at t#is service must $e Dreasona$l%: longer t#an t#e militar% service. In 2;;3( t#e Buropean =arliament in its -nnual report on >undamental >reedoms in t#e Buropean &nion called upon reece to recognise t#e rig#t to conscientious o$)ection 'it#out restrictions( to ma8e su$stitute service t#e same lengt# as militar% service and to release immediatel% all t#ose serving prison sentences in t#is connection64;7. Some small ste1s 0a8e been ta;en to brin. 5ree; C9 la- in line -it0 rele8ant international standards/ For e*am1le, in t0e summer o, 2001 t0ere -as a redu3tion in t0e len.t0 o, substitute ser8i3e ,or some C9s a33ordin. to t0e 1eriod o, military ser8i3e t0ey -ere obli.ed to ser8e be,ore bein. re3o.nised as C9s ?instead o, an e*tra 1( mont0s on to1 o, t0e duration o, military ser8i3e a3ross t0e board, it be3ame an e*tra 1B mont0s ,or t0ose -it0 1 30ild, an e*tra 1% mont0s ,or t0ose -it0 2 30ildren and an e*tra 12 mont0s ,or t0ose -it0 C 30ildren@/ :ore re3ently, in >u.ust 200% t0e la- -as amended E%1F, so t0at no- 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors 3om1lete t0eir substitute ser8i3e a,ter ser8in. t-i3e t0e time o, military ser8i3e minus 1 mont0/ 7o-e8er, des1ite t0ese small ste1s, ,or t0e most 1art t0e re3ommendations o, national and international bodies 0a8e been i.nored/

<! Conclusion
>lt0ou.0 5ree3e re3o.nises t0e ri.0t to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion and ma;es t0e 1ro8ision ,or substitute ser8i3e, t0ere remain se8eral 1roblems and dis3riminatory 1ra3ti3es a.ainst

3ons3ientious ob4e3tors and t0e 1ro8ision o, substitute ser8i3e is riddled -it0 3om1li3ations and t0us ,urt0er dis3riminates a.ainst C9s/ #o reiterate t0e main 3on3erns outlined at t0e be.innin. o, t0e re1ort: Lengt# of su$stitute service is discriminator% and punitive. ree8 CO la' e9cludes '#ole groups from appl%ing for CO status. ,#ere is no case $% case decision and t#e capacit% to c#ange one:s convictions is not ta8en into account. Conscientious o$)ectors s#ould #ave t#e rig#t to claim conscientious o$)ector status at an% time( $ot# up to and after entering t#e armed forces. ?ureaucratic procedures prevent people from e9ercising t#eir rig#t to CO. Su$stitute service must $e under civilian aut#orit% and not under militar% aut#orit% *Ministr% of Defence+ 5 including in t#e e9aminations of applications for conscientious o$)ection. ,#e provision of su$stitute service must never $e derogated from( including in time of 'ar. &nder present procedures( COs are tried more t#an once for t#e same offence. Conscientious o$)ectors '#o carr% out trade unionist activities or participate in a stri8e during t#eir su$stitute service can #ave t#eir CO status revo8ed. Conscientious o$)ectors *'it# legal proceedings against t#em+ must recover t#eir full civil and personal rig#ts( including t#at of travel outside t#e countr%( t#e rig#t to a passport and identit% card( and t#e rig#t to vote. >s illustrated in t0is re1ort, t0e 3on3erns raised abo8e are also raised by 6nited Nations and international re3ommendations, la-s and standards/ It is abundantly 3lear t0at 5ree; C9 la-s, 1ra3ti3es and .uidelines are not in 3om1lian3e -it0 su30 standards/ War Resisters' International 3alls ,or 5ree3e to re3o.nise t0e ri.0t to C9 at least to t0ese standards/

=! Case 5tudies:
"elo- are e*am1les o, 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors -0o 0a8e been denied t0eir C9 status due to t0e 1roblemati3 e*3lusions and 1ro3edures under 5ree; C9 la- as -ell as C9s -0o 0a8e e*1erien3ed 1roblems relatin. to t0e 1ro8ision o, substitute ser8i3e and t0ose -0o 0a8e been dis3riminated a.ainst due to t0eir status as C9s:

4a>aros etromelidis:
#0is 3ase is interestin. be3ause it illustrates se8eral o, t0e 1roblems relatin. to 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion and t0e 1ro8ision o, substitute ser8i3e ,or 5ree; C9s/ 7is 3ase e*em1li,ies t0e 3ontinuin. 0ars0 treatment o, C9s by t0e 5ree; aut0orities and t0e e*tremely time&3onsumin. nature o, t0e le.al stru..les t0ey ,a3e/ In 1arti3ular, it 0i.0li.0ts t0e ,ollo-in.: 1. Lengt# of su$stitute service is discriminator% and punitive. 2. Su$stitute service must $e under civilian aut#orit% and not under militar% aut#orit% *Ministr% of Defence+ 5 including in t#e e9aminations of applications for conscientious o$)ection. 3. &nder present procedures( COs are tried more t#an once for t#e same offence. 4. Conscientious o$)ectors *'it# legal proceedings against t#em+ must recover t#eir full civil and personal rig#ts( including t#at of travel outside t#e countr%( t#e rig#t to a passport and identit% card( and t#e rig#t to vote. La=aros Hetromelidis de3lared 0is 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion to military ser8i3e in 1992 be,ore t0e re3o.nition o, t0e ri.0t under 5ree; la-/ 7e -as e8entually .ranted C9 status

in Danuary 1999/ 7e -as t0en ordered to ser8e substitute ser8i3e ,or C0 mont0s & se8en& and&a&0al, times lon.er t0an 0e -ould ser8e as a non&C9 & in a to-n 550;m ?C%0 miles@ a-ay ,rom 0is ,amily 0ome/ ue to t0is o8ert dis3rimination, La=aros did not 1resent 0imsel, ,or ser8i3e and a11ealed instead to t0e 0i.0est 3ourt in 5ree3e/ :ean-0ile, 0is 1rose3ution ,or 0is initial dra,t e8asion -as still 1endin. and on >1ril 15 1999, Hetromelidis -as 3on8i3ted to % years im1risonment/ 7e -as released a,ter 4ust 2/5 mont0s a,ter t0e o,,i3ial 5ree; 9mbudsman 3learly e*1ressed in a s1e3ial re1ort on C9 t0at Hetromelidis' reAuests -ere 4usti,ied/ es1ite t0is, on bein. released ,rom 1rison, Hetromelidis -as 3alled to start military ser8i3e a.ain and be3ause 0e a.ain re,used to 3om1ly, a ,urt0er arrest -arrant -as 1rodu3ed ,or t0e same o,,en3e/ W0en, on 1' Se1tember 2002, Hetromelidis a11eared in 3ourt to as; ,or 1ost1onement ?due to t0e absen3e o, 0is la-yer@ o, 0is trial ,or not 1er,ormin. t0e substitute ser8i3e, 0e -as immediately arrested ,or a ne- o,,en3e & a se3ond 3ount o, insubordination ,or ,ailin. to re.ister ,or ser8i3e -0en 3alled&u1 by t0e Na8y a ,e- mont0s 1re8iously/ 7e -as 1ut in 1rison ,or C days be,ore bein. bailed/ Hetromelidis' trial ,or t0e initial 30ar.e o, ,ailin. to 1er,orm t0e .rossly 1uniti8e substitute ser8i3e ,inally too; 1la3e on 12 Dune 200C and 0e -as .i8en a 20 mont0 sus1ended ?,or C years@ senten3e ?out o, a ma*imum o, 2%@/ 9n 1( Se1tember 200C Hetromelidis -as a3Auitted o, 0is se3ond <o,,en3e' o, GinsubordinationG/ 7o-e8er, sin3e t0en, 0a8in. lost 0is C9 status, 0e 0as been re1eatedly 3alled u1 to 1er,orm military ser8i3e and 3onseAuently a33used and 1rose3uted a.ain ,or dra,t e8asion e8ery time/ 9n 1Bt0 e3ember, 0e -as due to a11ear be,ore t0e Na8al Court o, Hiraeus on t-o 30ar.es o, GinsubordinationG, datin. ,rom 2B Duly 1999 and C Duly 200C/ 7e 30ose not to a11ear sin3e i, 0e did, t0ey 3ould arrest 0im ,or more re3ent dra,t e8asions/ 7o-e8er, sin3e 0e did not a11ear, t0ey senten3ed 0im in 0is absen3e to 2 I years im1risonment/ 9n3e a.ain, La=aros Hetromelidis is under imminent t0reat o, arrest/ La=aros Hetromelidis' 3ase 0i.0li.0ts t0e in4usti3e in 5ree; 1ro8isions ,or 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors/ La=aros is a married ,at0er o, an 11&year old son and ,or t0e 1ast ( years 0e 0as -or;ed in su11ort o, so3ially e*3luded .rou1s/ 7e 0as e*1erien3ed ,irst&0and t0e dis3rimination and 1oor treatment o, C9s in 5ree3e/ The punitively long substitute service he was prescribed is in breach of Article 4 of ! "ommission on #uman $ights $esolution %&&'())* +t contradicts previous ! #uman $ights "ommittee rulings, for example, ,oin vs ,rance, since any disparity in length that discriminates against "-s on the basis of their conscience constitutes a violation of the principle of e.uality set forth in article /0 of the +""1$* +t is also in contradiction to the %&') "ouncil of 2urope recommendation regarding "-* La=aros 0as been tried more t0an on3e ,or insubordination t0us 8iolatin. >rti3le 5 o, 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts Resolution 199(2''/ #0is is also in 3ontradi3tion to >rti3le 1% 1ara.ra10 ' o, t0e International Co8enant on Ci8il and Holiti3al Ri.0ts ?ICCHR@ and 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts resolution 20022%5 ta;in. note o, re3ommendation 2 o, t0e Wor;in. 5rou1 on >rbitrary etention aimed at 1re8entin. t0e 4udi3ial system o, States ,rom bein. used to ,or3e 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors to 30an.e t0eir 3on8i3tions/ Furt0er, >rti3le 1C o, t0e 6ni8ersal e3laration on 7uman Ri.0ts, 0as been 3ontra8ened be3ause Hetromelidis 0as been re,used t0e ri.0t to lea8e 0is 3ountry ?due to 0is re,usal to ser8e t0e 1uniti8ely lon. substitute ser8i3e, 0is ensuin. 3lassi,i3ation as an G>ni1Jta;tosG and resultin. loss o, 0is C9 status and 1rose3ution ,or desertion@/

Giorgios "onastirotis:
:onastiriotis' 3ase illustrates 0o-:

1.

ree8 CO la' e9cludes '#ole groups from appl%ing for CO statusA t#ere is no case $% case decision and t#e capacit% to c#ange one:s convictions is not ta8en into account. 2. Conscientious o$)ectors s#ould #ave t#e rig#t to claim conscientious o$)ector status at an% time( $ot# up to and after entering t#e armed forces. 3. &nder present procedures( COs are tried more t#an once for t#e same offence. 5ior.ios -as a 1ro,essional soldier -it0 t0e 5ree; army/ 7e -as ordered to .o to t0e Hersian 5ul, in :ay 200C but re,used on t0e .rounds t0at t0e -ar in IraA -as un4ust/ 7e le,t t0e Na8y re4e3tin. it as a me30anism t0at is used ,or t0e re1ression o, 1eo1le's mo8ements/ 7e -as arrested and brou.0t to a military ?na8al@ 3ourt -it0out a la-yer on 1Ct0 Se1tember 200%/ 7e re3ei8ed a senten3e o, C years and % mont0s/ 9n 5 t0 93tober 200% 0is demand to be released till t0e >11eal Court -as e*amined/ :onastiriotis -as not 1resent at t0is se3ond GtrialG ?0e -as in 4ail@ but 0is la-yer brou.0t se8eral -itnesses, in3ludin. a ,ormer :inister o, Dusti3e o, t0e So3ialist Harty, and :onastiriotis -as released until t0e >11eal Court trial -it0out any 3onditions/ S0ortly a,ter t0is :onastiriotis -as 3alled to 4oin t0e Na8y and a.ain 0e re,used/ For t0is <o,,en3e' 0e -as senten3ed on 1( t0 Danuary 2005 to 5 mont0s' im1risonment on sus1ension in 3ase o, a11eal, ,or desertion/ #0is means t0at :onastiriotis 0as been tried t-i3e ,or t0e same <o,,en3e' o, desertion/ 7e is 3urrently a-aitin. t0e date o, 0is a11eal trial/ :onastiriotis' 3ase illustrates 0o- 5ree; C9 la- is in 3ontradi3tion to >rti3le 5 o, 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts Resolution 199(2'' as -ell as >rti3le 1% 1ara.ra10 ' o, t0e ICCHR and 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts resolution 20022%5 -0i30 ta;es note o, re3ommendation 2 o, t0e Wor;in. 5rou1 on >rbitrary etention aimed at 1re8entin. t0e 4udi3ial system o, States ,rom bein. used to ,or3e 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors to 30an.e t0eir 3on8i3tions/ In addition, t0e e*3lusion under 5ree; C9 la-, o, 1ro,essional soldiers ,rom a11lyin. ,or C9 status is in 3ontradi3tion to 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts resolution 199(2'' -0i30 re3o.nises t0at G1ersons 1er,ormin. military ser8i3e may de8elo1 3ons3ientious ob4e3tionsG/

?eli@ Ale@anidis:
#0is 3ase illustrates 0o-: 1. ree8 CO la' e9cludes '#ole groups from appl%ing for CO statusA t#ere is no case $% case decision and t#e capacit% to c#ange one:s convictions is not ta8en into account. 2. Conscientious o$)ectors s#ould #ave t#e rig#t to claim conscientious o$)ector status at an% time( $ot# up to and after entering t#e armed forces. Feli* >le*anidis, an et0ni3 5ree;, -as born in 5eor.ia in 19'0 but obtained 5ree; nationality in 1999/ From 19(9 to 1991 0e 0ad 1er,ormed military ser8i3e in t0e Russian army/ Follo-in. t0is 1eriod Feli* >le*anidis mo8ed to 5ree3e and be3ame a De0o8a0' Witness/ 7e -as t0en 3alled u1 to 1er,orm t0ree mont0s o, military ser8i3e in 5ree3e, but a11lied ,or C9 status due to 0is reli.ious belie,s/ 7o-e8er, sin3e t0e 5ree; le.islation does not re3o.ni=e as 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors t0ose men -0o de8elo1ed 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion a,ter enterin. t0e armed ,or3es, t0e 5ree; aut0orities re4e3ted 0is a11li3ation on 22 No8ember 2002/ 7e 0as a11ealed to t0e Coun3il o, State -0ere 0is 3ase is still 1endin./ Sin3e 2002 0is 3ase 0as 0ad C 1ost1onements, no- t0e ne- date o, 0is trial 0as been set ,or 93tober 2005/ Currently 0e is le.ally out o, t0e army, be3ause t0e Coun3il o, State 0as .ranted 0im sus1ension o, 0is military duties until t0e de3ision on 0is 3ase/ In not allo-in. ,or t0e 3a1a3ity to 30an.e ?or only allo-in. it in t0e dire3tion o, t0e military@, t0e e*3lusions set out in 5ree; C9 la- result in .enuine C9s bein. denied t0eir status/

#0e denial o, C9 status to Feli* >le*anidis is in 3ontradi3tion to 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts resolution 199(2'' -0i30 re3o.nises t0at G1ersons 1er,ormin. military ser8i3e may de8elo1 3ons3ientious ob4e3tionsG/

AiBolaos CsaBonasD :imitrios aBBidisD :imitrios itsiBalis 6 Christos ChaBnaBis:

#0ese 3ases 0i.0li.0t t0e ,a3t t0at at 1resent, bureau3rati3 1ro3edures 1re8ent 1eo1le ,rom e*er3isin. t0eir ri.0t to C9/ #0ese C9s & all o, t0em De0o8a0's Witnesses & -ere denied t0e o11ortunity to a11ly ,or t0eir C9 status be3ause in ea30 3ase t0e aut0orities ,ailed to 1ro8ide t0e ne3essary do3uments in time and t0ere,ore t0e men didn't 0a8e t0e ,ull do3umentation to 1ass on to t0e military to 3laim t0eir C9 status/ It is 3lear ,rom t0ese e*am1les t0at t0e 1ro3edures C9 a11li3ants must 3om1lete in order to be .i8en t0eir C9 status are inadeAuately t0ou.0t out and result in se8eral 3ases in .enuine C9s bein. denied t0eir ri.0t,ul status/

Ioannis Chryssovergis:
#0is 3ase a.ain 0i.0li.0ts: 1. t#e punitive nature of su$stitute service for ree8 COs( and 2. t#e practice of tr%ing COs more t#an once for t#e same Doffence:. Ioannis C0rysso8er.is -as 3alled u1 ,or enrolment in t0e 5ree; army in :ar30 19(( and -as sus1ended ,rom military duties ,or one year on .rounds o, ill&0ealt0/ 9n 25 >u.ust 19(9 0e -rote to t0e >t0ens enrolment military o,,i3e de3larin. 0is 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion to military ser8i3e and in Danuary 1990 0e re,used to re1ort ,or military duties -0en 0e -as 3alled u1 in #0ebes/ In 1992 0e -as 30ar.ed -it0 insubordination/ 9n 1 Danuary 199C 0e -as banned ,rom lea8in. t0e 3ountry/ In :ar30 199( 0e a11lied ,or C9 status and in Dune 199( 0e -as re3o.ni=ed as a 3ons3ientious ob4e3tor and 3alled to ser8e C0 mont0s o, substitute ser8i3e ?instead o, C mont0s o, military ser8i3e & .i8en t0e ri.0t to buy e*em1tion ,rom 9 mont0s o, a 12&mont0 ser8i3e -it0out bein. .ranted t0e ri.0t to 1ay a sum o, money in lieu o, 1art o, t0at ser8i3e, as 1ro8ided by la- ,or t0e military ser8i3e@/ 7e started 0is substitute ser8i3e in Sidiro;astro on ( e3ember 199(/ 9n 1C February 1999 0e a11lied to t0e State Coun3il in 1rotest at t0e dis3riminatory treatment a.ainst 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors and reAuested t0at 0e s0ould be allo-ed to 1ay a sum o, money in lieu o, 1art o, 0is substitute ser8i3e and t0at t0e len.t0 s0ould not be 1uniti8e/ 9n ( Dune 1999 0e -al;ed out 0a8in. ser8ed si* mont0s o, 0is substitute ser8i3e ?t-i3e t0e len.t0 o, t0e military ser8i3e 0e -ould 0a8e ser8ed@/ 7e -as re1eatedly 3alled u1 to ser8e 12&mont0 military ser8i3e and 0e 0as re,used to enrol/ >s a result, 0e is a11arently at ris; o, arrest and im1risonment on 30ar.es o, insubordination or desertion/ -nce again, the punitively long substitute service prescribed in this case is in breach of Article 4 of ! "ommission on #uman $ights $esolution %&&'())* +n addition, it contradicts previous ! #uman $ights "ommittee rulings, see ,oin vs ,rance, and the disparity in length constitutes a violation of the principle of e.uality set forth in article /0 of the +""1$* +t is also in contradiction to the %&') "ouncil of 2urope recommendation regarding "-* "ein. tried more t0an on3e ,or t0e same <o,,en3e' 8iolates >rti3le 5 o, 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts Resolution 199(2'' and is in 3ontradi3tion to >rti3le 1% 1ara.ra10 ' o, t0e ICCHR as -ell as to 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts resolution 20022%5 ta;in. note o, re3ommendation 2 o, t0e Wor;in. 5rou1 on >rbitrary etention aimed at 1re8entin. t0e

4udi3ial system o, States ,rom bein. used to ,or3e 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors to 30an.e t0eir 3on8i3tions/ E1F 6N 7uman Ri.0ts Committee, Communi3ation No: BBB21995 E2F 5ree; National Commission ,or 7uman Ri.0ts, GHro1osals on t0e institution o, alternati8e 3i8il&so3ial national ser8i3eG, no/', 2001, ---/n30r/.r ECF 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts Resolution 199(2'', arti3le 5 E%F ICCHR, arti3le 1%, 1ara 2 E5F WRI GC9 in 9SC+ member statesG, 1a.e 5, 200C/ EBF >rti3le 1(, 1ara.ra10 % ?a@: Gthose who have carried arms for whatever length of time in the 3reek or foreign armed forces or in the security forces G 3annot be 3onsidered as 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors/ E'F +&mail ,rom 5ior.os Karat=as, in res1onse to dra,t o, re1ort on C9 in 5ree3e ,or 6N7RC, 0'202205 E(F e3ision o, :inister o, e,ense F/%202'B2(12%9 1ublis0ed at t0e issue 12C2 " o, t0e Ha1er o, t0e .o8ernment on 11t0 >u.ust 200% E9F ICCHR, arti3le 1%, 1ara 2 E10F 5ree; National Commission ,or 7uman Ri.0ts, G>ns-ers to t0e 6N7C7R Auestionnaire on 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion to military ser8i3eG, 93tober 200C, ---/n30r/.r E11F 6nited Nations Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts ?199(@, Resolution 199(2'': Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion to :ilitary Ser8i3e, arti3le ( E12F 5ree; National Commission ,or 7uman Ri.0ts, GHro1osals on t0e institution o, alternati8e 3i8il&so3ial national ser8i3eG, no/', 2001, ---/n30r/.r E1CF 6N Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts Resolution 199(2'', >rti3le C, 3alls on states to Gestablis0 inde1endent and im1artial de3ision&ma;in. bodies -it0 t0e tas; o, determinin. -0et0er a 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion is .enuinely 0eld in a s1e3i,i3 3aseG/ E1%F 6nited Nations Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts ?199(@, Resolution 199(2'': Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion to :ilitary Ser8i3e, arti3le B E15F Coun3il o, +uro1e ?19('@, Re3ommendation No/ R ?('@ ( o, t0e Committee o, :inisters to member states re.ardin. 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion to 3om1ulsory military ser8i3e, arti3le C9, ado1ted on 9 >1ril 19(' at t0e %0B t0 meetin. o, t0e :inisters' e1uties E1BF 6N 7uman Ri.0ts Committee, Communi3ation No: BBB21995 E1'F +uro1ean So3ial C0arter, 1art 2, arti3le 1, 1ara.ra10 2 E1(F ICCHR, 1art 2, arti3le 1(, 1ara.ra10 C E19F WRI GC9 in 9SC+ member statesG, 1a.e 5, 200C E20F +&mail ,rom 5ior.ios Karat=as in res1onse to dra,t o, re1ort on C9 in 5ree3e ,or 6N7RC, 0%201205 E21F 0tt1:22---/oaed/.r2Ha.es2Re1ository2FIL1C2/,ile E22F 6nited Nations Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts ?199(@, Resolution 199(2'': Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion to :ilitary Ser8i3e, arti3le B, states t0at GStates, in t0eir la- and 1ra3ti3e, must not dis3riminate a.ainst 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors in relation to t0eir terms and 3onditions o, ser8i3e, or any e3onomi3, 3ultural, 3i8il or 1oliti3al ri.0tsG E2CF WRI GC9 in 9SC+ member statesG, 1a.e 5, 200C E2%F 6nited Nations Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts ?199(@, Resolution 199(2'': Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion to :ilitary Ser8i3e, arti3le B, states t0at GStates, in t0eir la- and 1ra3ti3e, must not dis3riminate a.ainst 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors in relation to t0eir terms and 3onditions o, ser8i3e, or any e3onomi3, 3ultural, 3i8il or 1oliti3al ri.0tsG E25F WRI GC9 in 9SC+ member statesG, 1a.e 5, 200C E2BF ICCHR, arti3le 1%, 1ara 2 E2'F 6nited Nations 6ni8ersal e3laration o, 7uman Ri.0ts 4%&0'5, article %6 E2(F La- 251029', arti3le 21, 1ara.ra10 B E29F La- 251029' arti3le 21 1ara.ra10 ( EC0F La- 251029' arti3le 21 1ara.ra10 '/

EC1F 6nited Nations Commission on 7uman Ri.0ts ?199(@, Resolution 199(2'': Cons3ientious 9b4e3tion to :ilitary Ser8i3e, arti3le B, states t0at GStates, in t0eir la- and 1ra3ti3e, must not dis3riminate a.ainst 3ons3ientious ob4e3tors in relation to t0eir terms and 3onditions o, ser8i3e, or any e3onomi3, 3ultural, 3i8il or 1oliti3al ri.0tsG EC2F 5ree; National Commission ,or 7uman Ri.0ts, G>ns-ers to t0e 6N7C7R Auestionnaire on 3ons3ientious ob4e3tion to military ser8i3eG, 93tober 200C, ---/n30r/.r ECCF 5ree; National Commission ,or 7uman Ri.0ts, GHro1osals on t0e institution o, alternati8e 3i8il&so3ial national ser8i3eG, no/', 2001, ---/n30r/.r EC%F >mnesty International Re1ort 199(: 5ree3e EC5F Re1ort on C9 in 5ree3e in 1999 by Miannis 5larnetat=is, Ni3e&Hresident o, +"C9 ECBF 6nited Nations, International Co8enant on Ci8il O Holiti3al Ri.0ts, Consideration o, Re1orts submitted by state 1arties under arti3le %0 o, t0e 3o8enant, initial re1ort 5ree3e, 1ara B((, 5t0 >1ril 200%/ EC'F WRI GRe,usin. #o "ear >rmsG re1ort on 5ree3e, 199(/ EC(F +uro1ean Harliament Resolution 20012201% EC9F +uro1ean Committee on So3ial Ri.0ts, e3ision on t0e merits, Com1laint (22000/ #0e 3olle3ti8e 3om1laint -as made by t0e Pua;er Coun3il ,or +uro1ean >,,airs <Colle3ti8e Com1laint on 5ree3e to t0e Coun3il o, +uro1e under t0e So3ial C0arter' ?re.istered as (22000@ E%0F +uro1ean Harliament: Re1ort on Fundamental Freedoms in t0e +uro1ean 6nion, Danuary 200C/ E%1F e3ision o, :inister o, e,ense F/%202'B2(12%9 1ublis0ed at t0e issue 12C2 " o, t0e Ha1er o, t0e .o8ernment on 11t0 >u.ust 200%

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