GAPS IN LEGISLATION CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR

(Greek National Committee of the International Helsinki Federation)

& MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE

(Greek Affiliate of Minority Rights Group International)

P.O. Box 51393, GR-14510 Kifisia, Greece; tel. 30-1-620.01.20; fax: 30-1-807.57.67;

e-mail: office@greekhelsinki.gr      http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

10/4/1998

 

TOPIC: GAPS IN LEGISLATION CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

 

The cooperating organizations Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Greece note that the legalization of conscientious objectors is creating unexpected serious problems in practice. Unfortunately, the new legislation does not include a clear provision for the suspension of the legal power of the pending warrants for arrest of several conscientious objectors. Thus these people are in danger of imprisonment, without  due cause, until the final decision is taken which grants them the status of CO.

 

Despite the legal recognition in Greece of conscientious objection, the COs face the painful possibility of arrest, even if they declare their willingness to serve alternative civilian service and to produce all the necessary documents required by law. It is obvious that this unexpected outcome will dissuade many COs from submitting themselves to the settlement of alternative service, which constituted a first positive step towards the adjustment of our country to international standards.

 

Our organizations believe that it is necessary for the government to amend the law to include a new provision. This should state that the administrative interruption of subordination at the competent recruiting office is sufficient for the acceptance of the submission of the documents, without the need of an interruption of subordination in front of a judicial investigating authority - as is currently the case with COs.

 

Finally, our organizations ask for a suspension of the legal power of the warrants for the whole period, that is until the date at which alternative service begins for those who are interested, so that nothing would endanger a CO who wished to submit to the new status.