Letter from an insumiso

I am Javier Roncero, member of the youth organisation Juventud Obrera Cristiana de Espana (JOC-E; Christian Worker Youth). Through a learning process, both in the family and with this group, we have taken on responsibilities for social change, thinking and taking action according to an alternative vision of society, with more solidarity, more fairness, and in peace.

My refusal to perform military service comes out of this belief. The state's response to this political problem is one of repression-imprisonment for between one year and two years, four months, and a day (as is my sentence).

I have been here since 23 October, when I was detained by the police during a solidarity demonstration, asking for freedom for all imprisoned insumisos.

I ask that you all circulate information about insumision, make public statements, and write to the Spanish embassy in your country, protesting against this situation. Finally, write to me in prison!

Javier Roncero Heras, Centro Penitenciario La Torrecica, Ctra Ayora, km 72, E-02071 Albacete, state of Spain