Conscientious objection

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conscription exists

Conscription is enshrined in the art. 31 of the Constitution, which states: "The obligations of Mexicans are.... (II) To be present on the days and hours designated by the municipality in which they reside, to receive civic and military instruction whcih will equip them in the exercise of their rights as citizens, give them skill in the handling of arms, and acquaint them with military discipline.

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conscription not enforced

Since 1994 conscription has not been enforced.

At present there is no clear legal basis for conscription.

In May 1994 the Honduran Congress amended art. 276 of the 1982 Constitution, according to which all able-bodied men aged 18 to 30 were liable to two years' military service. The constitutional amendment established voluntary military service in peace time and called for the 1985 Military Service Act and corresponding regulations to be redrafted.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

There is no conscription as the armed forces were disbanded in 1994, following the fall of the military regime which had ruled Haiti since 1991. At present, the only armed forces in Haiti are paramilitary and police forces.

Conscription is, however, enshrined in art. 268 of the 1987 Constitution, according to which all men aged over 18 are liable for military service.

recruitment

Recruitment into the Haitian National Police Force is voluntary.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription not enforced

Since 1994 conscription has not been officially enforced.

After 1994 the civil war between the government and the URNG (National Guatemalan Revolutionaty Unit), which had lasted since 1962, gradually came to an end. In that year the Global Human Rights Accord was signed by the government, the URNG and the United Nations.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription not enforced

Conscription has, in general, not been enforced since 1992. In February that year a peace treaty was signed between the government and the FMLN (Farabundo Marti Liberacion Nacional), which ended a civil war which had lasted since 1980.

There is a legal basis for re-introducing conscription.

Conscription is enshrined in art. 215 of the 1983 Constitution, according to which military service is compulsory for all Salvadorans (men and women) between the ages of 18 and 30.

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Conscription is enshrined in sect. II art. 9(b) of the Constitution, which states: "Every able-bodied Dominican citizen shall perform such civilian and military service as may be required by the country to ensure its defence and preservation." [1]

It is not clear if conscription is actually enforced.

The government stated in 1989 that it does not consider military service to be among the duties of its citizens. [2]

Several other sources also state that there is no conscription.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Dominica does not have regular armed forces.

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1978. Conscription is not enshrined in the constitution and there is no legislation providing for conscription. [1]

2 Conscientious objection

The right to conscientious objection is not legally recognized, nor is it enshrined in the constitution.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Costa Rica abolished its armed forces constitutionally in 1949. According to art. 12 of the 1949 Constitution: "The Army as a permanent institution is proscribed. For vigilance and the preservation of the public order, there will be the necessary police forces." [5]

The constitution provides for the introduction of both armed forces and military service, when deemed necessary.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1981.

Legislation allows for the introduction of conscription when voluntary enlistment fails to achieve the requisite number of recruits. This has never been the case as there are, in fact, more applications to join the armed forces than actually needed. [2]

recruitment

Minimum enlistment age is 18.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1966.

Barbados is one of only two Eastern Caribbean states to maintain standing armed forces.

recruitment

No information available.

2 Conscientious objection

The government stated in 1987 that, as conscription does not exist, the question of "conscientious Objection to military service" therefore does not arise.

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1973.

recruitment

No information available.

2 Conscientious objection

The right to conscientious objection is not legally recognized.

The government stated in 1989: "There is no provision in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas which is specific to conscientious objection to military service".

30/04/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since gaining independence in 1981.

Antigua and Barbuda is one of only two Eastern Caribbean states to maintain standing armed forces.

recruitment

No information available.

2 Conscientious objection

There is no legal provision for conscientious objection.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda stated in 1994 that the issue of conscientious objection does not apply, as military service is voluntary in Antigua and Barbuda.