ATTEMPTED ARREST OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR THANASSIS MAKRIS

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

 

20/5/1998

 

TOPIC: ATTEMPTED ARREST OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR THANASSIS MAKRIS

 

The cooperating organizations Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Greece express their opposition to the attempt for arrest of philosophical Conscientious Objector (CO) Thanassis Makris (19/5/1998). He is one of the most well known representatives of the pacifist movement who has served many months in prison due to his views. It should be noted that Thanassis Makris, one of the leaders of the struggle for the introduction of alternative civilian service, does not have “a legal duty to serve” anymore, since his previous 18-month imprisonment exempts him from the “invitation for enlistment in the army.” This has been stated by the Minister of National Defense during his official discussion with representatives of the European Bureau for the Conscientious Objection (EBCO).

 

There are serious gaps in the existing legislation related to conscription. Due to them Thanassis Makris failed to depose the necessary documents in order to be submitted to the procedure of civilian service, because, apart from all other documents, he had to provide a certificate for not carrying weapons from the respective police station. However, in order to get such a certificate, he had to go there in person, a fact which would have resulted in his immediate arrest because of the already pending warrant against him.

 

Our organizations ask for the suspension of the arrest warrants for all COs during the procedure of their submission to the legal status of alternative service. They also demand from the government to take all the necessary measures, so that Mr. Makris’ personal freedom be protected and a satisfactory solution to his problem be found. Finally, we ask from the Ministry to recommend to the competent recruiting offices around the country to establish a procedure for obtaining the required documents through an internal network, after a simple petition on behalf of the person in question. Thus deadlines would not be missed and the application of Law 2520/97, which recognizes the rights of COs, would not be obstructed.