ALGERIA: Conscientious objector Soufiane Ababou feared recruited / fear for his safety

War Resisters' International received information that Algerian conscientious objector Soufiane Ababou is feared to have been recruited by force yesterday, and there are serious fears for his health.

Soufiane Ababou, a youth from the Algerian town of Lamtar who turns 26 next month, is refusing military service since 2005. He refuses military service based on his pacifist convictions.

In addition, Soufiane Ababou decided to stay with his father, who is of poor health. He is named the administrator for his fathers personal affairs.

On 13 January 2011, Soufiane Ababou received a summons from the prosecutor at the military court of Oran for a hearing on 30 January 2011. This was confirmed by a notice from the gendarmerie from 27 January 2011, which also stated the reason: draft evasion.

Draft evasion and refusal to perform military service (insoumission) is punishable by 3 months' to 5 years' imprisonment in peacetime. In wartime the penalty is from 2 to 10 years' imprisonment, and the convicted individual may lose all rights mentioned in art. 8 of the penal code. Officers may be dismissed. Insoumis are those called up who have not reported to the military within 30 days of a call-up notice (art. 16 Military Penal Code (Code de Justice Militaire - CJM)).

On 30 January 2011, Soufiane Ababou went before the military tribunal at Mers el Kebir - Oran, and did not return home. It is feared that he has been taken to the barracks, but his family has now news from him.

Soufiane Ababou himself is also of poor health. He suffers from kidney failure, and needs medication. His parents fear that Soufiane Arabou will rather try to end his life than to renounce his beliefs and perform military service.

War Resisters' International calls for urgent letters of protest to:

Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Présidence de la République
El-Mouradia - B.P. ALGER Gare
Téléphone: +213-21 69 15 15 / +213-21 68 63 63
Fax: +213-21 69 15 95
A protest email can be sent at http://wri-irg.org/node/12127

Monsieur le Ministre de la Défense
Ministère de la Défense Nationale
Avenue Ali Khodja, les Tagarins,
16606 El Biar, Algérie
Tél : + 213 21 71 15 15
(Soufiane ABOUBOU - N° de matricule militaire : 2005522100984)

Tribunal Militaire
2° Région Militaire
Mers El Kebir
31000 ORAN, Algérie
(Soufiane ABOUBOU - N° de Convocation au tribunal militaire : N° 472/2011/TM/TMO/2°RM)

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of Soufiane Ababou and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International