PRESS RELEASE
Jehovah’s Witnesses Office of Public Information
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Contact: David Semonian
Tel: +718-560-5600
Fax: +718-560-5619
E-mail: semonian@jw.org
Web:

January 25, 2009

Progress in Armenia but still no genuine alternative civilian service
for conscientious objectors

YEREVAN, Armenia-Eight years ago today, Armenia joined the Council of
Europe on the condition that within three years the country would adopt
a law on alternative civilian service and in the meantime would pardon
all imprisoned conscientious objectors.
As of January 1, 2009, more than 80 conscientious objectors who
are Jehovah’s Witnesses were in prison for their conscientious refusal
of military service. Many more are expected to face trial in the coming
months. Although the government of Armenia has organized nonmilitary
work assignments, alternative service is under military control and
supervision. Thus the law, as well as its implementation, fails to meet
the criteria laid down by the Council of Europe. Therefore, the
alternative service law in its present form is not an option for
conscientious objectors. This has been confirmed by the OSCE Handbook on
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel, which
states that "alternative service should be performed under a purely
civilian administration, with no involvement by the military authority."
Nevertheless, representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses have
welcomed the opportunity to explain their position to officials in the
Justice and Defense Ministries, the General Prosecutor’s Office, and
high-ranking military officers. The constructive dialogue has resulted
in progress on a number of issues.
Following an instruction from the Defense Minister, Seyran
Ohanyan, military commissariats are issuing registration cards and
passports to released prisoners. Previously, released prisoners were
refused these documents until they reached the age of 27. Denying them a
passport prevented the young men from registering their place of
residence, traveling outside of Armenia, obtaining certain employment,
and even from getting married.
Another positive development is that the Deputy
Prosecutor-General, Mr. Aram Tamazyan, agreed that those awaiting trial
for refusing military service would no longer be held in pretrial
detention. Currently no conscientious objector is being held in pretrial
detention.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged by recent progress as a result
of the willingness of government representatives to listen to the
Witnesses’ concerns. They also appreciate the religious freedoms they
enjoy in Armenia. So far, over 360 conscientious objectors who are
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been sentenced in Armenia. Having a genuine
alternative service totally outside of military supervision will
consolidate the fundamental religious freedom in Armenia. When Armenia’s
law on alternative service complies with European standards, the
remaining obstacles should be resolved.

Contacts
Western Europe: Paul Gillies
Phone +44 20 8906 2211
United States: David Semonian
Phone +718 560 5600

From: Baghdasarian