Conscientious objection

05/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1970. [1] [2]

Oman does have the fourth highest per capita military expenditure of any country in the world. [1]

recruitment

The armed forces have difficultiy attracting the requisite number of recruits. About 10 percent of the army rank-and-file are foreigners.

After the achievement of independence in 1970, initially nearly all officers were Baluchis from Pakistan, except for senior commanders who were British.

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".

05/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription exists since 1925. [8]

The present legal basis of conscription is the 1984 Military Service Act, plus various decrees issued since than.

Military service is performed in the armed forces and the Pasdaran (Islamic Revolutionary Guard), which was established in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini, its prime responsibility being to preserve internal security. Since 1989 both the Pasdaran and the regular armed forces are under Ministry of Defence jurisdiction, but under a different command.

05/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed.

The introduction of conscription is not foreseen. However it was announced in 1990 that all university students had to undergo military training if they wished to graduate. Introduced as a reaction to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the authorities decided to regard this requirement as a possible prelude to reservist training. No further details are known.

01/04/1998

From 1975 to 1991 Lebanon was involved in a civil war in which many armed groups and militia took part. Since 1991 most armed groups have been disbanded, except the Israeli-backed SLA (South Lebanese Army), which occupies the 'security zone' between the Israeli border and UNIFIL controlled areas, and Hizbollah, a fundamentatist Muslim group fighting the SLA and Israel. [7

1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription was first introduced in 1983 by Law 110/1983.

For years this law was not implemented.

31/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

There is no compulsory military service in Uruguay. [1] [2]

However, a law applicable to civil servants permits their registration in order for them to receive military training. This law was passed during the Second World War but up till now has never been implemented. [6]

recruitment

The minimum recruitment age is 18 years. [7]

There are three military schools which accept 15-year-old boys and girls and train them for a military career.

31/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed in Saudi Arabia.

The armed forces have increased and been modernized significantly since the 1960s, which was deemed essential to protect oil wealth. After the 1990 Gulf War King Fahd announced a doubling of the army's size and the creation of a new reserve system.

Saudi officials have indicated, on several occasions, that conscription may be introduced.

31/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Qatar has no conscription and has never had. [1]

Qatar does have the highest per capita military expenditure of any country in the world. [2]

recruitment

The armed forces find it hard to obtain the requisite number of recruits. They are mainly composed of foreigners, Qatari citizens constitute only 30 percent of the total. About 20 nationalities are represented in the armed forces, mainly Pakistanis, Bedouins and various Arab groups.

1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription has existed ever since Kuwait achieved independence in 1961. Kuwait is, in fact, the only Persian Gulf State that has conscription.

Conscription is enshrined in arts. 47 and 158 of the Constitution, which describe national defence as a sacred and honourable duty regulated by law. [5]

The present legal basis of conscription is the 1980 Compulsory Service Act (Law 102/1980). [1]

military service

All men aged 18 to 30 are liable for military service.

27/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed in Pakistan.

The 1952 Pakistan Army Act does provide for the possible introduction of compulsory military service in times of emergency, but this has never been contemplated by the authorities. Voluntary applications to join the armed forces are usually sufficient to achieve the requisite number of recruits. [2]

recruitment

Most recruits come from northern Punjab and the North-West Frontiers province.

27/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since independence in 1948.

There is no known legislation providing for conscription. According to one source conscription may become compulsory in time of national danger. This was in fact the case in the 60s when there was conscription took place into the National Cadet Corps. (see: History) [2]

Recent reports indicate that the Indian armed forces may find it difficult to get the requisite number of recruits, especially recruits suitable to become officers.

27/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

According to some sources there is no conscription. [4] [7]

Other sources maintain, however, that selective conscription applies, or that recruitment is voluntary but augmented by a form of conscription. [2] [3]

As Bhutan is such a closed society, it is hard to work out just how far military service is compulsory. Recruitment methods on local (village) level can be described as a form of conscription. (see: recruitment)

There is no clear legal basis for conscription.