Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

The UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, has highlighted issues with conscientious objection to military service in the Republic of Cyprus and the northern Turkish-administered region.

In the south, substitute service for conscientious objectors is between three and five months longer than military service. According to international standards, substitute service required of conscientious objectors in lieu of compulsory military service must be compatible not be punitive in nature (UN Commission on Human Rights resolution 1998/77, OP4.) - this includes the duration of substitute service.

In the north – the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – the right to conscientious objection is not legally recognised.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt

Addendum

Mission to the Republic of Moldova

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E. Conscientious objection to military service

Communications report of special procedures*

Communications sent, 1 June 2011 to 30 November 2011
Replies received, 1 August 2011 to 31 January 2012

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According to the information received, members of the Jehovah's Witnesses community had been facing harassment, as well as the imprisonment of the following 72 Jehovah's Witnesses:

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, on his mission to Paraguay (23 - 30 March 2011)

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F. Right to conscientious objection

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or
belief, Heiner Bielefeldt

Addendum
Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received

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(a) Allegations transmitted to the Government

Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

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16. Conscientious objection to perform military service is another issue of concern in some States. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the fact that a growing number of States have in their laws exempted from compulsory military service citizens who genuinely hold religious or other beliefs that forbid the performance of military service and replaced compulsory military service with alternative national service. However, certain domestic legislation remains problematic in terms of the eligibility

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir*

Addendum

MISSION TO TURKMENISTAN**

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H. Conscientious objection

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
Asma Jahangir

Addendum
Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received

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Eritrea
Communication sent on 11 October 2007 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
Asma Jahangir

Addendum
Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received

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Libya
Urgent appeal sent on 13 February 2007 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
Asma Jahangir

Addendum
Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received

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Turkmenistan
Communication sent on 17 July 2007

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir

Addendum

MISSION TO TAJIKISTAN*

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H. Conscientious objection

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Sixth session
Item 3 of the provisional agenda

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir

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(k) Conscientious objection