Conscientious objection

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.

27/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed in Bangladesh.

The 1952 Bangladesh Army Act does provide for the possible introduction of compulsory military service. According to section 7, the government may declare that any individual or category of individuals are on active service.

19/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription has existed ever since the foundation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976. Previously, conscription applied in both North and South Vietnam.

Conscription is enshrined in arts. 44 and 77 of the 1992 Constitution. According to art. 44: "It is the duty of the entire people to defend the socialist Vietnamese fatherland and firmly maintain national security."; according to art. 77: "Defending the fatherland is the citizens' sacred duty and noble right.

15/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription was abolished in 1973.

There is no legislation providing for conscription, as the Military Service Act was repealed in 1973. Conscription is not enshrined in the Constitution. [3] [4]

There is no compulsory registration for military service. [3]

Some New Zealand First party politicians are in favour of re-introducing conscription but they have little backing over this opinion.

15/03/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription has existed ever since the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.

The present legal basis of conscription is the 1994 Law on Military Service. [1]

The armed forces have been significantly reduced in recent years, from about 50,000 troops in the early 1980s to 29,000 by 1997. Since Laos no longer receives financial assistance from Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, maintaining the armed forces has become more difficult.