Jamaica

05/04/1998

1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since independence was achieved in 1962. [1] [2]

There is no legislation providing for conscription. [1]

recruitment

Legal enlistment age is between the ages of 18 and 24.

2 Conscientious objection

There is no known legal provision for conscientious objection.

In 1998 the government stated that, as military service is voluntary, "the question of CO status does not apply". [1]

3 Desertion

penalties

Desertion is punishable by up to two years' imprisonment in peacetime. In wartime desertion is punishable by firing squad execution. [1]

practice

No information available.

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces are 3,320-strong - about 0.13 percent of the population. [3]

Sources

[1] Embassy of Jamaica in Brussels 1998. Response to CONCODOC questionnaire, 30 January 1998. [2] US State Department 1987. Islands of the Commonwealth Caribbean - a regional study. Area Handbooks, State Department, Washington DC. [3] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London.

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