Back ground to th e countryEritre a, locate d in th e h orn of

Africa, w on its de -facto inde pe n-de nce on 24 May 19 9 1 afte r 30 ye ars of a bitte r, bloody and cos tly arm e d s truggle agains t rule by its ne igh bour, Eth iopia. Eritre a form al-ly de clare d inde pe nde nce on 24 May 19 9 3 afte r an ove rw h e lm ing ye s vote in a re fe re ndum ove rs e e n by th e Unite d Nations .

Th e tw o m ajor e th nic groups are th e Tigrigna (50% ) and Tigre (40% ). Th e Afar cons titute 4% and th e re m aining 6% include Kunam a, Nara, Bie le n, Ras h aida, H idarb and Sah o. Th e tw o dom inating re ligions are Ch ris tianity, including Coptics , Cath olics and oth e r Prote s tant de m oninations , and Is lam . Th e official language s are Tigrigna, Englis h and Arabic, but dive rs e e th nic language s pe rs is t as w e ll.

Th e Italians colonis e d and nam e d Eritre a in 189 0. Afte r th e Italian de fe at in W orld W ar II, its African colonie s of Eritre a, Som alia and Libya w e re place d unde r th e prote ctorate of Britain for 10 ye ars . Th e future of th e s e th re e nations w as a h ot is s ue in th e Unite d Nations from 19 45 to 19 50, e nding in an ill-advis e d confe de ration of Eritre a and Eth iopia for a proje cte d 10 ye ars from 19 52 to 19 62. In 19 61, Eth iopia violate d th e te rm s of th e confe de ration and de clare d Eritre a to be its 14th province . In th e s am e ye ar, th e Eritre an Libe ra-tion Front (ELF) be gan arm e d re s is t-ance unde r th e le ade rs h ip of H am id Idris Aw ate .

In 19 70 a faction of th e ELF, k now n as th e Pe ople s Force s of Eritre a (PFE), brok e aw ay. It w as a re volutionary m ove m e nt le d by th e younge r ge ne ration. Afte r its firs t congre s s in 19 77, th e PFE re or-ganis e d as th e Eritre an Pe ople s Libe ration Front (EPLF) and e clip-s e d th e ELF. Th e EPLF s ucce e de d in ach ie ving inde pe nde nce from Eth iopia afte r a long w ar.

Th e EPLF im m e diate ly e s tab-lis h e d a trans itional gove rnm e nt unde r Is s ayas Afe w e rk i, le ade r of th e s ucce s s ful figh t for inde pe nde n-ce . EPLF m e m be rs took all adm ini-s trative pos ts and oth e r k e y pos itions . In 19 9 4 th e th ird congre s s of th e EPLF re nam e d its e lf th e Pe ople s Front for De m o-cracy and Jus tice (PFDJ).

Unlik e its nam e , th e re gim e w as unde m ocratic and unjus t. More -ove r, it w as uncons titutional. Its ow n Eritre an Cons titutional

Com m is s ion, s e t up in 19 9 4, h ad produce d th e cons titution of 19 9 7 afte r ratification by th e Eritre an pe ople . Th e re gim e ignore d th is and, afte r Se pte m be r 2001, im pris o-ne d 11 prom ine nt m e m be rs of th e oppos ition party w h ich h ad de m an-de d de m ocratic ch ange and e nforce -m e nt of th e ratifie d cons titution.

Today, th e PFDJ is th e s ole law m ak e r in a h ars h dictators h ip. Eritre ans are de nie d th e ir bas ic civil and h um an righ ts , any prote s ts alw ays e nding in arbitrary arre s t, de te ntion and torture . For all Eritre ans w h os e vis ion of th e ir ne w nation include d pe ace , s tability and pros pe rity, th e s cale of w ars , corruption and abus e of pow e r th at follow e d inde pe nde nce w as unbe lie vable . Ele ve n ye ars afte r inde pe nde nce and 13 afte r fre e dom , Eritre a is a country w h e re pove rty and oppre s s ion are th e rule .

In th e las t th re e ye ars , th e m ilitary training cam p Saw a w as e s tablis h e d as h e adq uarte rs for unive rs al national s e rvice . All h igh s ch ool s tude nts , fe m ale and m ale , are force d to finis h th e ir 12th ye ar of s tudy in a s ch ool w ith in Saw a. None of th e m h ave re turne d for furth e r e duation at unive rs ity once th e y com ple te d national s e rvice . Th e Unive rs ity of As m ara, Eritre a’s only unive rs ity, h as only th ird and fourth ye ar s tude nts w h o h ad e nte re d be fore th e draft cam e into e ffe ct.

Th e gove rnm e nt h as m ilitaris e d th e country com ple te ly. Force d re cruitm e nt of young pe ople , unde r-age ch ildre n and adults unde r 50 is a daily e ve nt. Re cruits are tre ate d brutally and th e re is e vide nce of s e xual abus e of w om e n. Nobody h as a righ t to q ue s tion th e m iliary auth oritie s . Nobody h as a righ t to cons cie ntious obje ction.

Ove r th e pas t th re e and a h alf ye ars , Eritre ans h ave be e n de nie d th e ir cons titutional righ t of fre e e xpre s s ion. Th e re are no inde pe n-de nt ne w s pape rs , TV ch anne ls or radio s tations . Th e only active m e dia are gove rnm e nt ow ne d. Only th e Inte rne t give s th os e w h o h ave acce s s to it a s ource of inform ation not coloure d by gove rnm e nt propaganda.

Fore ign policy h as is olate d th e country from h um an righ ts organi-s ations , aid age ncie s and th e inte rnational com m unity at large . Th e dictator h as us e d th e conce pt of National Unity to intim idate and dis cre dit oppone nts of th e re gim e .

Re ligious m inoritie s are be ing pe r-s e cute d by m e ans of pris on and torture . According to th e Com pas s Dire ct ne w s age ncy, 187 Eritre an Ch ris tians h ave be e n arre s te d s o far th is ye ar, including groups at praye r, w h ole w e dding partie s , and h om e Bible s tudy groups , inte lle c-tuals and profe s s ionals . Ofte n ch ildre n and th e e lde rly are am ong th os e arre s te d.

According to Th e Ch ris tian Pos t of 24 Fe bruary 2005 th e Eritre an gove rnm e nt s ince May 2002 h as clos e d dow n th e country’s Prote s t-ant ch urch e s , de claring th e ir place s of w ors h ip ille gal and forbidding h om e gath e rings . Only four re ligi-ons are officially acce ptable : Orth o-dox Ch ris tianity, Cath olicis m , Luth e ranis m and Is lam .

Cons cie ntious obje ction is taboo. COs are brande d by th e re gim e as cow ardly and unpatriotic. Th e re is no re cours e to th e law nor s ubs ti-tute civilian s e rvice for COs . Th e cons e q ue nce s of cons cie ntious obje ction and de s e rtion are s e ve re torture , long-te rm im pris onm e nt and e ve n de ath .

Afte r th e h orrors of th e borde r w ar w ith Eth iopia from 19 9 8 to 2000, th e num be r of COs w ith in th e m ilitary incre as e d. Today th e re are th ous ands w h o obje cte d to m ilitary s e rvice and th e m ilitary. Th e y are force d to go into e xile . Cons ide rable num be rs of th e m are in Europe , Libya, Eth iopia and Sudan s e e k ing political as ylum . In Ge rm any, Eritre an re fuge e s foun-de d th e Eritre an Antim ilitaris m Initiative (EAI), w h ich s upports re fuge e s w h o h ad to fle e from th e Eritre an m ilitary and figh ts for pe ace and antim ilitaris m in Eritre a.

Cons e q ue nce s of w arTh e adve rs e im pact of th e long

w ar for inde pe nde nce and late r conflicts on Eritre an s ocie ty and e conom y h ave be e n incalculable . Th e y h ave e xace rbate d th e cycle of draugh t, w h ich h as afflicte d th e e ntire re gion and caus e d m illions of pe ople to be com e de pe nde nt on e xte rnal as s is tance for th e ir s urvi-val. Th e re s ults of th e s e dis pute s are h orre ndous : los s of life , im po-ve ris h m e nt, dis place m e nt of pe ople , land m ine h az ards , looting, confis cation of prope rty, e xile , traum a.

At th e m om e nt, m ore th an one -th ird of th e Eritre an population is living in e xile . Th e w ar h as re s ulte d in th e dis inte gration of fam ilie s and th e los s of culture and norm s of s ocie ity both at h om e and in e xile .

Inte rnational and national NGOs

Th e re is little activity by national and inte rnational non-gove rnm e ntal organis ations (NGOs ). W h at doe s e xis t is unde r th e s upe rvis ion of th e re gim e . Th e re are no inte rnational NGOs th at advocate h um an righ ts or w itne s s th e force d m ilitary re cruitm e nt w ith its brutality of re cruits and its pe rs e cution of COs . Nor doe s th e gove rnm e nt tole rate inde pe nde nt national NGOs , h um an righ ts groups , inte rnational obs e rve rs or fore ign re porte rs . Inve s tigations de m ande d by Am ne s ty Inte rnational and oth e rs

are ignore d. All inte rnational journalis ts h ave be e n officially banne d.

Cons cie ntious Obje ction as one w ay to pe ace

Th e pe ople of Eritre a are in political, s ocial and e conom ic cris is . Th e re is an urge nt ne e d to e s tablis h a h e alth y de m ocratic atm os ph e re w ith a cons titutionally e le cte d le ade rs h ip and a m ultiparty political s ys te m . Th e re is an urge nt ne e d to re le as e all political pris o-ne rs and COs . H e nce th e AEI is advocating th e re fus al of m ilitary s e rvice in th e above conte xt.

W e be lie ve th at re fus ing m ilitary s e rvice , m ilitaris m and w ar is vital for th e s e re as ons :

1. Th e ide as and te ach ings of cons cie ntious obje ction are bas e d on pe ace , h um anity and m orality. W e be lie ve th e y are th e ans w e r to w ith s tanding th e propaganda of national unity and national s ove re ignty, w h ich are m is le ading and provacative .

2. Th e m ore pe ople s ay No to w ar in Eritre a and th e m ore pe ople s ay No to w ar in our ne igh -bouring countrie s , th e re gion and th e w orld, th e m ore gove rn-m e nts m ay be gin to th ink about pe ace ful s olutions , s tart to de ve lop re s pe ct for h um an life and plan to build a jus t and s e cure s ocie ty for com ing ge ne rations .

3. Cons cie ntious obje ction is th e ch e ck and balance agains t w ar and m ilitaris m . A CO is at th e oth e r e xtre m e of a w arlord. W e be lie ve COs can confront and dive rt m ilitary obje ctive s .

Ste ps for las ting pe aceTh e AEI be lie ve s th at th e

follow ing s te ps can h e lp to ach ie ve a las ting pe ace on th e bas is of h um an, civil and political righ ts .1. Introduce and cultivate re s pe ct

for th e righ t of cons cie ntious obje ction and offe r COs alte rnative civilian s e rvice .

2. Es tablis h a culture of pluralis m , civility, re s pe ct and tole rance .

3. De ve lop th e political le ade rs h ip on principle s of de m ocracy.

4. Adopt nonviole nt w ays of s truggle .

5. Solution of conflicts pe ace fully th rough dialogue , m e diation and ne gotiation.

6. Re s pe ct for inte rnational law .

Yoh anne s K idane is a re fuge e from Eritre a and live s in Ge rm any, w h e re h e is active w ith th e Eritre an Antim ilitaris m Initiative

Source s : Eritre an De m ocratic Partie s

(EDP) m anife s to, As m arion and Aw ate h om e page s on th e Inte rne t.

Eritre an Antim ilitaris m Initiative , c/o Yoh anne s K idane , Bah ns tras s e 51, D-61449 Ste inbach , e m ail yoh anne s k 2000@ yah oo.com

EditorialMany of us m igh t re m e m be r

th e h ope s conne cte d w ith Eri-tre an inde pe nde nce back in th e e arly 19 9 0s . I m ys e lf re m e m be r re ading about s e lf-re liant de ve -lopm e nt, th e form ation of coope -rative s , and in ge ne ral about Eritre a tak ing a path w h ich w ould not re ly on inte rnational ins titutions s uch as th e W orld Bank , w h ich drove m any oth e r countrie s into h uge e xte rnal de bts . H ow e ve r, 14 ye ars late r th e s ituation look s e ntire ly diffe r-e ntly, and th is is s ue of Th e Brok e n Rifle can only give a glim ps e of w h at is actually h ap-pe ning in th e country. W h e n W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational firs t re ce ive d inform ation from th e Eritre an Antim ilitaris m Ini-tiative , w e w e re s h ock e d. For-ce d re cruitm e nt and im pris on- m e nt/e xe cution of young pe ople – m e n and w om e n – w h o avoid m ilitary s e rvice s e e m s to be a daily fe ature for Eritre a's youth , w ith e xile th e only "alte rnative ".

W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rna-tional's contacts in Africa are s till poor. Four ye ars ago, in 2001, w e h igh ligh te d th e s ituation in Angola on 15 May (Inte rnational Cons cie ntious Obje ctors ' Day). Pris one rs for Pe ace Day 2005 w ith a focus on Eritre a is th e re fore a good opportunity to re ach out to African antim ilitaris t groups , w h e re th e y e xis t. Th e article s in th is is s ue – - th e inte rvie w s w ith obje ctors – s h ow ve ry cle arly h ow urge ntly Eritre an w ar re s is te rs ne e d our s upport. More inform ation on th e s ituation in Eritre a is available in a docum e ntation publis h e d on W RI's w e bs ite at h ttp://w ri-irg.org/ne w s /2005/e ritre a-e n.h tm . Fe e l fre e to dow nload and dis tribute .

Andre as Spe ck

Th e Brok e n RifleTh e Brok e n Rifle is th e

ne w s le tte r of W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational, and is publis h e d in Englis h , Spanis h , Fre nch and Ge rm an.Th is is is s ue 68, Nove m be r 2005.

Th is is s ue of Th e Brok e n Rifle w as produce d by Andre as Spe ck . Spe cial th ank s go to Nuk e Re s is te r, Forum 18, Am ne s ty Inte rnational, and all oth e rs w h o provide d th e inform ation us e d in th is is s ue , and to Mitz i Bale s for h e lp w ith e diting. If you w ant e xtra copie s of th is is s ue of Th e Brok e n Rifle , ple as e contact th e W RI office , or dow nload it from our w e bs ite .

W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational,5 Cale donian Road,London N1 9 DX, Britainte l + 44-20-7278 4040fax+ 44-20-7278 0444info@ w ri-irg.orgh ttp://w ri-irg.org/pubs /br68-e n.h tm

W ar is a Crim e agains t H um anity:Th e Story of Th e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalNe w book by De vi Pras ad"W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational, born out of th e h orrors and s tupidity of W orld W ar I, h as k e pt th e banne rs of cons cie n-tious obje ction and abolition of w ar flying th rough th e m os t atrocious ce ntury of Europe an h is tory. W ar re s is te rs , organis e d or not, w ill bring about th e e nd of w ar."

Joh an Galtung, dr h c m ult, Prof of Pe ace Studie s

De vi Pras ad s tudie d at Sh antinik e tan, Tagore 's Unive rs ity, w ork e d as a te ach e r and artis t in Se vagram , Gandh i's as h ram , from th e 19 40s until 19 62. From 19 62-19 72 h e w as Ge ne ral Se cre tary of th e W RI.

Publis h e d by: W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalISBN 0-9 03517-20-5. 560 page s , 67 ph otos . Publication date : 21 Octobe r 2005£28.00 plus pos tage .Orde r now on our w e bs h op at h ttp://w ri-irg.org/e n

Cons cie ntious Obje ction in Eritre a1 De ce m be r: Pris one rs for Pe ace Day

Arm e niaAlth ough Arm e nia pas s e d a law on con-s cie ntious obje ction in 2004, th e country continue s to im pris on cons cie ntious obje c-tors . Many cons cie ntious obje ctors als o re fus e to s e rve s ubs titute s e rvice , as it is controlle d by th e M inis try of De fe nce . 22 Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s abandone d th e ir s ub-s titute s e rvice in 2005, now facing ch arge s of de s e rtion.

Mh e r Manuk yan (16/12/04– 15/12/06)Arm an Marinos yan (23/02/05– 22/02/07)Rom a Karape tyan (24/02/05– 23/02/07)Se rge y Ovanis yan (28/02/05– 27/08/06)Ge vork Manuk yan (03/03/05– 02/03/07)As h ot Torgom yan (14/03/05– 13/03/07)Sark is Karape tyan (06/04/05– 05/10/06)Tatul Gogzh yan (15/04/05– 14/12/06)Arm e n Grigoryan (09 /06/05– 08/06/07)Gris h a Ge vork yan (01/07/05– 30/06/07)+ Kos h Pe nal Ins titution, Kos h , Arm e nia

Sure n Bars e gyan (09 /06/05– 08/06/07)As h ot Virabyan (01/07/05– 30/06/07)Ye nok Ivanyan (01/07/05– 30/06/07)Grach ya Sargs yan (16/08/05– 15/02/07)Ak op Muradyan (02/08/05, aw aiting trial)Vagars h ak Mark aryan (17/08/05, aw aiting trial)Boris Me lk um yan (17/08/05, aw aiting trial)Artur Ch ilingarov (18/08/05, aw aiting trial)Gagik Davtyan (18/08/05, aw aiting trial)Garik Be gdzanyan (19 /08/05, aw aiting trial)Artur Ak opyan (23/08/05, aw aiting trial)Sh alik o Sargs yan (26/08/05, aw aiting trial)+ Nubaras h e n Pe nal Ins titution,

Nubaras h e n, Arm e nia

Tigran Abraam yan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Garazat Azatyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Vaye Grigoryan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Garik Me lk onyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Karle n Sim onyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Ge nrik Safaryan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)Gayk Kh ach atryan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial)+ Varde nis De te ntion Ce nte r, Varde nis ,

Arm e nia

Are g Avane s yan (16/02/05– 15/02/09 )+ Sh is h i Pe nal Ins titution, Sh us h i,

Nagorno-Karabak hArm e nian citiz e n w h o w as trans fe rre d to s e rve in Nagorno-Karabak h and im pris one d th e re for re fus al to s e rve . Nagorno-Karabak h is an Arm e nian e nclave , de -facto inde pe nde nt but de -jure part of Az e rbaijan. Arm e nian force s s upport Nagorno-Karabak h force s , and th e Crim inal Code of th e Re public of Nagorno-Karabak h is alm os t ide ntical w ith th e Crim inal Code of Arm e nia.

Eritre aPaulos Eyas s u (24/09 /19 9 4— )Ne ge de Te k le m ariam (24/09 /19 9 4— )Is aac Mogos (24/09 /19 9 4— )Aron Abrah a (09 /05/2001— )Mus s ie Fe s s e h aye (June 2003— )Am bak om Ts e ge zab (Fe bruary 2004— )Be m ne t Fe s s e h aye (Fe bruary 2005— )H e nok Gh e bru (Fe bruary 2005— )+ aaSaw a Pris on, Eritre a

Am anue l Te s fae ndrias (March 2005— )+ W ia Pris on, Eritre aAll toge th e r nine Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s are im pris one d for cons cie ntious obje ction to m ilitary s e rvice . Th re e Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s are im pris one d s ince 24 Se pte m be r 19 9 4, for re fus ing to pe rform m ilitary s e rvice . All th re e h ave ne ve r be e n ch arge d for th e ir

"crim e ". Th e m axim um pe nalty for cons cie ntious obje ction is th re e ye ars .

FinlandAlth ough unde r pre s s ure from th e UN and oth e r inte rnational ins titutions , Finland continue s to im pris on total obje ctors , and re fus e s to bring its law on s ubs titute s e rvice in line w ith inte rnational s tandards . Th e M inis try of Labour is now s tarting th e proce s s to ch ange th e law – for th e firs t tim e th e Finnis h Union of COs w ill be s itting on th e com m itte e w h ich drafts th e law – but re ducing th e le ngth of s ubs titute s e rvice h as be e n e xclude d from th e m andate of th e com m itte e . No m ajor ch ange s can th e re fore be e xpe cte d. On 1 Octobe r, 12 total obje ctors w e re in pris on, but only tw o w h o w ill s till be in pris on on 1 De ce m be r gave pe rm is s ion to publis h th e ir nam e s .

Sauli Korpiluom a (02/08/05— 27/01/06)Ale k s e i Riik one n (12/09 /05— 29 /03/06)+ H e ls ingin työs iirtola, PL 36, 01531

Vantaa, Finland

Gre e ceIn 2005, th e s ituation in Gre e ce got w ors e , in s pite of broad inte rnational atte ntion. Alre ady in De ce m be r 2004, Laz aros Pe trom e lidis w as s e nte nce d in abs e ntia to 2 1/2 ye ars im pris onm e nt. H e is s till fre e , but could be arre s te d.Oth e r cons cie ntious obje ctors h ave be e n brie fly im pris one d in May 2005, and s e nte nce d to s us pe nde d s e nte nce s . Se ve ral COs are aw aiting th e outcom e of th e ir appe al trials , and could face im pris onm e nt.

Is rae lSe ve ral Is rae li draft re s is te rs w e nt to pris on on re pe ate d pris on te rm s , accum ulating m ore th an 100 days in pris on. Am ong th e m w e re Ale x Koh n, one of th e initiate rs of th e H igh Sch ool s e niors ' (Sh m inis tim ) le tte r, and Druz e obje ctor W is s am Qablan. H ow e ve r, th e Is rae li practice of im pos ing dis ciplinary s e nte nce s of up to 5 w e e k s re pe ate dly m ak e s it im pos s ible to pre dict now w h o w ill be in pris on on 1 De ce m be r. Ple as e ch e ck W RI's w e bs ite for update s and ne w ale rts at h ttp://w ri-irg.org/ne w s /ale rts .

Ne th e rlandsTuri Vaccaro (aw aiting trial)+ H vB de Bos ch poot, Nas s aus inge l 26,

4811 DG Bre da, Th e Ne th e rlandsPlow s h are s dis arm am e nt action of F-16 nucle ar bom be rs at W oe ns dre ch t AFB on Augus t 10, 2005; trial re s um e s on 13/10/05

Pue rto RicoJos é Véle z Acos ta (23883-069 )(five ye ars – out on 27/01/06)+ USP, POB 1033, Cole m an, Florida

33521-1033, USA

Jos é Pére z Gonzále z (21519 -069 )(five ye ars – out 15/07/08)+ Edge fie ld FCI, PO Box 725, Edge fie ld,

SC 29 824, USA

Both h ave be e n s e nte nce d for cons piracy, dam age to fe de ral prope rty, and/or probation violation on 01/05/03 for re s is ting th e US m ilitary bom bardm e nt of Vie q ue s , Pue rto Rico. Ple as e s e nd e conom ic s upport for pris one rs and fam ilie s , and any re turne d le tte rs to: May 1 Arre s te e s Support Com m itte e , P.O. Box 19 179 2, San Juan, PR 009 19 -179 2

Rus s iaIgor Sutyagin (15 ye ars )+ 4279 65, Re s publik a Udm urtiya, g.

Sarapul; ul. Ras k olnik ova, 53-A, YaCh -9 1/5, 14 otryad; Rus s ia

Im pris one d s ince 27/10/19 9 9 , now convicte d of e s pionage for re s e arch ing public nucle ar w e apons inform ation – s e nte nce d 07/04/04.

South Kore aIn 2004, th e country's Supre m e Court and Cons titutional Court rule d agains t th e righ t to cons cie ntious obje ction. Pre s e ntly, th e re are about 1,000 cons cie ntious obje ctors in pris on, th e gre at m ajority of th e m Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s . Pre s e ntly, tw o cas e s are pe nding be fore th e Unite d Nations ' H um an Righ ts Com ite e .

Turk e yTh e pe rs e cution of cons cie ntious obje ctors re s um e d in April, w ith th e arre s t of Me h m e t Tarh an. Th e re are m ore th an 50 de clare d obje ctors in Turk e y, m os t of th e m can ge t arre s te d at any tim e . H ow e ve r, in ge ne ral Turk is h auth oritie s avoid arre s ting cons cie ntious obje ctors – w ith e xce ptions , as th e cas e of Me h m e t Tarh an s h ow s .

Me h m e t Tarh an (08/04/05— )+ Sivas Military Pris on, 5. Piyade Egitim

Tugayi, As k e ri Ce z ae vi, Te m e lte pe – Sivas , Turk e y

Se nte nce d on 10 Augus t 2005 to four ye ars im pris onm e nt for tw o s e parate accounts of "ins ubordination in front of h is unit". Ne w ch arge s are pos s ible .

USAArde th Platte (10857-039 ) (41 m onth s ― out 22/12/05)+ FPC Danbury, Pe m brok e Station Rt. 37,

Danbury, CT 06811-0379Sacre d Earth and Space Plow s h are s dis arm am e nt of Colorado nucle ar m is s ile s ilo, 06/10/02; convicte d of s abotage

H e le n W oods on (03231-045) (106 m onth s ― in 11/03/04)+ FMC Cars w e ll, Max Unit, POB 27137,

Ft. W orth , TX 76127Anti-w ar prote s t at th e fe de ral courth ous e , Kans as City, Mis s ouri, on 11/03/04 in violation of parole follow ing re le as e from pris on on 03/09 /04. Ple d guilty to violation and four ne w ch arge s on 18/06/04.

Inge Donato (40885-050) (s ix m onth s ― out 06/02/06)+ FDC Ph ilade lph ia, POB 561,

Ph ilade lph ia, PA 19 106

Convicte d in De ce m be r 2004 for re fus al to pay w ar taxe s on re ligious grounds

Rafil Dh afir (aw aiting s e nte ncing 18/11/05)+ Jam e s ville Corre ctional Facility, POB

143, Jam e s ville , NY 13078Convicte d for providing h um anitarian and financial aid to Iraq is in violation of US s anctions , Fe bruary 2005

Mich ae l D. Poulin (1479 3-09 7) (27 m onth s ― out 25/01/06)+ aFPC Sh e ridan Unit 5, POB 6000,

Sh e ridan, OR 9 7378.Convicte d of dam aging e le ctricity trans m is s ion tow e rs to s h ow th e fragility of th e US e m pire

Laro Nicol (80430-008) (2 ye ars ― out 15/06/06)+ FCI Safford, POB 9 000, Safford, AZ

85548H um an righ ts and anti-w ar activis t fram e d on fabricate d fire arm s and e xplos ive s ch arge s , ple ad no conte s t to avoid longe r te rm . More info at h ttp://w w w .ph oe nixcopw atch .org/fre e laro.h tm

Ne il Que ntin Lucas (13 m onth s ― out 22/08/06)+ Building 149 0, Randolph Rd, Fort Sill,

OK73503Re fus e d to de ploy afte r CO claim is ignore d.

Ke vin Be nde rm an (15 m onth s ― in 29 /07/05)+ c/o Be nde rm an De fe ns e , POB 2322,

H ine s ville , GA 31310Care e r Arm y office r de nie d CO s tatus , convicte d of m is s ing m ove m e nt to Iraq

Je rry Te xie ro (aw aiting court-m artial)+ Pine llas County Jail, 14400 49 th St. N.,

Cle arw ate r, FL 33762-289 0Vie tnam -e ra Marine Corps de s e rte r for re as ons of cons cie nce , arre s te d on 16 Augus t 2005 (!). Aw aiting court-m artial.

2 Th e Brok e n Rifle No 68, Nove m be r 2005Pris one rs for Pe ace

Action• On 1 De ce m be r, put as ide at le as t one h our and w rite at le as t four cards to

pris one rs ;• Ge t your pe ace group or clas s or m e e ting place to organis e a card-w riting

s e s s ion;• Se t up a s tall in your tow n ce ntre , pe rform a bit of s tre e t th e atre , or do w h ate ve r

e ls e it tak e s to attract atte ntion and inte re s t.

Se nding cards and le tte rs• Alw ays s e nd your card in an e nve lope ;• Include a re turn nam e and addre s s on th e e nve lope ;• Be ch atty and cre ative : s e nd ph otos from your life , draw ings ;• Te ll pris one rs w h at you are doing to s top w ar and w ar pre parations ;• Don't w rite anyth ing th at m igh t ge t th e pris one r into trouble ;• Th ink about th e s ort of th ing you'd lik e to re ce ive if you w e re in pris on;• Don't be gin, "You are s o brave , I could ne ve r do w h at you h ave done ";• Don't e xpe ct th e pris one r to re ply;• Re m e m be r— ne xt ye ar it could be you ...

Support our future w orkFor 47 ye ars , W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational h as publicis e d th e nam e s and s torie s of pris one rs of cons cie nce . H e lp us k e e p up th e tradition. Se nd in a s pe cial PfP donation to W RI to h e lp fund ne xt ye ar's re s e arch .Se nd contributions to: W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational, 5 Cale donian Rd, London N1 9 DX, Britain (te l + 44-20-7278 4040; fax 7278 0444; e m ail pfp@ w ri-irg.org).Your outre ach to pris one rs doe s m ak e a diffe re nce . Sh ow your s olidarity!

Donate online , and/or vis it W RI's w e bs h op, w h e re you can orde r W RI publications and Brok e n Rifle badge s us ing your cre dit or de bit card, at h ttp://w ri-irg.org/s h op/s h op-uk .h tm

Online ve rs ion: h ttp://w ri-irg.org for all four language ve rs ions of th e PfP 2005 pack .

H ow th e lis t w ork sFirs t are pris one rs ' nam e s (in bold),

follow e d by th e ir s e nte nce , th e n th e ir place of im pris onm e nt w ith �+�and, finally th e re as on for th e ir de te ntion.

Inform ation about countrie s w h e re pris one rs h ave h ad th e ir s e nte nce s s us pe nde d, or w h e re s e nte nce s h ave be e n s e rve d or com ple te d during th e ye ar, are in italics .

Pris one rs for Pe ace H onour Roll 2005

I w as born in As m ara on 12 De ce m be r 19 78. In 19 9 6 I w as drafte d into th e national s e rvice in Saw a.

During bas ic training th e food w as bad and s o w as th e training. Our ins tructors did not s tick to th e training program but, for e xam ple , th e y h ad us w as h th e ir cloth e s or fe tch w ate r, forcing us to s ubm it to th e ir w ill. Th e re w as n't e nough to e at. Spoilt flour w as us e d for bak ing.

Afte r s ix m onth s of m ilitary training, w e w e nt on a m ilitary m arch of m ore th an 120 k ilom e te rs from Ke tan to Sah e l. Th e n w e w e re tak e n to Nak fa to dig tre nch e s for 15 days . It w as n't cle ar w h at w e did th at for; th e tre nch e s w e re com ple te ly us e le s s . More ove r, it w as cold out th e re but w e didn't ge t any blank e ts , s o s om e tim e s w e w e re force d to us e e arth to cove r ours e lve s w ith . Afte r th at I cam e back to Divis ion 2001, 2nd Brigade , 1s t Battalion, 3rd Unit, 2nd s e ction. W e w e re de ploye d at Am bori in th e De m be las are a, be caus e th e Jih ad (Eritre an Is lam ic Jih ad, EIJ), a s m all, Sudan-bas e d ins urge nt group th at h as m ounte d attack s in th e north and w e s t s ince 19 9 3, w e re th e re and conflicts w e re ve ry lik e ly.

In Nove m be r 19 9 7 I w as re locate d to Me ns ura to atte nd a m ilitary cours e , w h e re w e w e re taugh t th e Am e rican s ys te m of figh ting in s m all units . Th at w as tw o m onth be fore m y s e rvice w as

s uppos e d to e nd. Late r I gras pe d th at th is w as in pre paration for w ar. In e arly April ve te rans , w h o h ad be e n calle d up for national s e rvice during th e firs t until th e fourth draft w ave , w e re drafte d. As a pre te xt it w as s tate d th at th e y w e re to be involve d in de ve lopm e nt m e as ure s . Actually, th e y w e re calle d up for w ar and s e nt to us .

On 12 May w e attack e d Badim e . W e m arch e d until w e got to De m be ge dam u, 18 to 20 k ilom e te rs on Eth iopian s oil, occupie d th e are a and m ove d into pos itions th e re . Afte r one w e e k Divis ion 381 re lie ve d us . W e w e re re locate d to Z orona. Initially, th e re w as n't m uch to be done . W e dug tre nch e s . Th e unit's le ade rs h ad us do private jobs , s uch as h e lping to grow ve ge table s . Afte r h arve s t w e h ad to pay for

th e s e ve ge table s w ith our ow n m one y. Th e proce e ds w e nt into th e ir pock e ts . An e ngine e r w h o w as s e rving m ilitary s e rvice w as as s igne d to build a h ous e for th e m .

I h ad acce pte d to do national s e rvice . I w as an Eritre ian and re ady to be a s oldie r and figh t a w ar for a good caus e , th at is if Eritre a w as re ally in dange r. But now I w as to die w h ile oth e rs force d pe ople to w ork for th e m , w h ich m ade th e m rich e r and rich e r. I didn't s e e w h y I s h ould s acrifice m y life .

A le ade r of jus t a s e ction h as th e auth ority to e nforce h is w ill on w om e n. Th e m e n als o h ave to do jobs for h im . W ith th e le ade r of th e unit it is e ve n w ors e , all th e m ore w h e n it com e s to a battalion le ade r. Th e s ituation w as ge tting m ore and m ore ins uffe rable .

I s tarte d to oppos e . I s aid, "I'm doing m ilitary s e rvice . Alth ough I don't agre e w ith w h at is going on, I'm a s oldie r. W h y do you h ave m e w ork for your private inte re s ts ? I don't s e e th e s e ns e of it."

I w as arre s te d, re le as e d, re arre s te d. Once I w as de taine d for th re e m onth s and h ad to w ork in th e fie lds from 6 am to noon and from 2 to 4 pm toge th e r w ith 22 oth e r s oldie rs . It w as m e ant to be a s ort of brainw as h . W e h arve s te d tom atoe s and onions .

Late r on, th e y offe re d to prom ote m e to s e ction le ade r. Th is w as not be caus e

th e y th ough t I w as cut out for th e job but be caus e th e y w ante d to catch m e out at s om e tim e . I h ad to tak e on th is job and le ad a s e ction of four s oldie rs .

At th at tim e , it w as Fe bruary 19 9 9 , th e s e cond invas ion be gan. W e w e re in Onos h ah ok w h e n th e re w as uninte rrupte d fire for 1½ days . Fortunate ly, I m ade it out of th e re unh urt. In m y s e ction a m an and a w om an w e re injure d. Sh e w as s e nt to th e front be caus e s h e h ad re fus e d to s ubm it to h e r le ade rs . W e w e re s tatione d th e re until May. Th e n I w as s uppos e d to atte nd a cours e for unit le ade rs . I re fus e d. I didn't w ant to be involve d in private bus ine s s and I didn't w ant to oppre s s m y frie nds .

Be caus e of th is I w as arre s te d. Th e y poure d a m ixture of m ilk and s ugar ove r m e , tie d m e up and e xpos e d m e to th e s un continuous ly for tw o and h alf days . Th e days w e re ve ry h ot and th e nigh ts e xtre m e ly cold. My s k in got burne d, blis te rs de ve lope d on m y face . I als o h ad a te rrible h e adach e . Be caus e of th e pain I alm os t fainte d. A doctor appe are d and calle d for m e dical tre atm e nt. Initially, th e battalion le ade r re je cte d th is de m and. Th e doctor s aid: "I cannot tak e th e

re s pons ibility. In cas e s om e th ing h appe ns you w ill be re s pons ible ." Th e n th e battalion le ade r agre e d to m e dical tre atm e nt. Th e y took m e to a m ilitary h os pital, pe e le d m y s k in, cle ane d m y fle s h w ith dis infe ctant, and gave m e te tracycline and antibiotic table ts . Th is w as it. I s taye d in h os pital for tw o w e e k s . In s pite of th e table ts I got an infe ction. It got ve ry ugly. For punis h m e nt th e y didn't tre at m e prope rly. Eve ntually, th e y took m e to a m ilitary h os pital in Alla. Th e re I w as n't able to s e e anyth ing w ith m y le ft e ye for about four m onth s . I trie d to h ave th e battalion le ade r pros e cute d but ne ve r re ce ive d a re s pons e .

Som e tim e s m y w ounds h e ale d, s om e tim e s th e y got infe cte d again and blis te rs re appe are d. It w as a continuous up and dow n. Eve ntually, I w as grante d s ick le ave las ting m onth s s o th at I w as able to trave l to m y fam ily. I applie d for a dis ch arge , w h ich w as re je cte d on th e grounds th at as s oon as I re cove re d I w ould be s e nt back to th e front.

Inte rvie w w ith Sae d Ibrah im , Trans lation: Th om as Stie fe l

Globalis ing Nonviole nceW ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnation-al Confe re nce

Sch los s Eringe rfe ldPade rborn, Ge rm any23-27 July 2006

Th e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rna-tional confe re nce "Globalis ing Nonviole nce " w ill be a gre at op-portunity to m e e t activis ts from all ove r th e w orld, to ge t to k now w h at m ak e s th e m tick , and to s e e h ow you can h e lp e ach oth e r m ak e anoth e r w orld pos s ible .

Around th e w orld, a m ove -m e nt of m ove m e nts is conve r-ging. Th is m ove m e nt s e e k s to counte rpos e th e pe rs pe ctive and value s of pe ople 's pow e r for th os e of global financial ins ti-tutions , trans national corpora-tions or gove rnm e nts . Th is is a m ove m e nt of globalis ation from be low .

W RI be lie ve s th at nonvio-le nce h as a m ajor role to play in th is globalis ation from be low . H e nce th e th e m e of our upcom -ing inte rnational confe re nce – Globalis ing Nonviole nce .

For m ore inform ation go to w w w .globalis ingnonviole nce .org

3

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Donate to W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational

Th e Brok e n Rifle No 68, Nove m be r 2005 Pris one rs for Pe ace

I've h ad e nough of th e w arI w as born on 10 January 19 81 in

As m ara. I w as jus t 15 ye ars old, and w e w e re told th at w e w ould ge t th e re s ults of th e s ch ool le aving e xam inations only afte r bas ic training in th e National Se rvice . Th at's w h y I joine d th e m ilitary, h oping th at m y e xam re s ults w e re good and I could le ave afte r bas ic training to s tudy. In 19 9 6 I w as brough t to Saw a for bas ic training.

Som e of th e girls th e re h ad run aw ay from h om e and joine d th e National Se rvice , alth ough th e y w e re s till m inors . Som e tim e s th e pare nts cam e to tak e th e ir daugh te rs back h om e . But th e auth oritie s alw ays re fus e d th at.

Many girls w e re rape d. Th e re w e re girls w h o adapte d th e m s e lve s to th e s ituation and m ade advance s to office rs out of th e ir ow n initiative , to avoid be ing rape d. Th e re w e re only m ale office rs . Th os e w h o didn't com ply, w h o re je cte d th e m e n w e re give n th e w ors t w ork or s e nt into th e w ar. Th e girls w h o h ad be e n rape d but didn't w ant to com ply w e re s e nt to th e front too. Th e girls w h o w e re com pliant and pre tty w e re tre ate d w e ll. Ofte n th e y got pre gnant involuntarily.

W e w e re in Bak a, in th e are a of Girm aik . Th os e girls w h o re fus e d to play th e h ous e w ife h ad to s tand on guard s e rvice for 3-4 h ours at nigh t as a form of punis h m e nt. Th os e young m e n w h o w ante d to h e lp th e m w e re punis h e d too – th e y w e re orde re d to s tand at atte ntion in th e s un for an e ntire day. Th e oth e r girls , w h o playe d along w ith th e gam e , w e re tre ate d w e ll.

Th os e w h o could s tand it no longe r, w h o w ante d to s e e th e ir fam ily, fle d in th e e nd. Som e re turne d on th e ir ow n, oth e rs w e re caugh t by th e m ilitary police and punis h e d w ith th e h e licopte r or th e num be r e igh t [1]. In s om e cas e s th e y w e re dous e d w ith m ilk , be fore th e y w e re orde re d to s tand in th e s un for h ours . Th e y w e re calle d k oble lt, outlaw s , de s e rte rs .

Afte r s e rving 18 m onth s , w e h ad to s tay on for tw o additional m onth s . Th e n th e w ar be gan. It is difficult for m e to de s cribe th is . It w as h orrible . For e xam ple , th e re w as a rule th at w h e n s oldie rs w e re w ounde d, th e jik aalo (old figh te rs ) h ad to be brough t to th e fie ld h os pital firs t. Th e y w e re tak e n out of th e front line firs t, not th e com m on s oldie rs . Once five or s ix young s oldie rs die d be caus e of th is . Th e y jus t h ad be e n le ft th e re . W h e n th e unit w ith dre w from th e front for a bre ak , s om e w e nt to th e ir fam ilie s w ith out auth oris ation. W h e n th e y re turne d and th e unit h ad be e n s e nt back to th e front, th e s e s oldie rs w e re s e nt dire ctly to th e front as a form of punis h m e nt. Oth e rs w e re e ve n e xe cute d.

I h ave h ad e nough of th e w ar. I re porte d ill, alth ough th at m e ant I h ad to s tay th e re and couldn't go h om e . Afte r s e ve ral re q ue s ts and com plaints I finally got five days of h olidays , but I s taye d aw ay for 10 days . Th e n I got ve ry s care d. I re turne d. As punis h m e nt I h ad to carry a big w ate r containe r up and dow n a h ill for a full w e e k .

In May 19 9 9 th e unit com m ande r trie d

to rape m e . I s cre am e d and oth e rs cam e to h e lp m e and pre ve nte d it from h appe ning. I de m ande d th at h e be punis h e d, but it w as h is re s pons ibility to pas s on m y com plaint to h is s upe riors . H e did not ge t punis h e d.

Afte r th e 2nd invas ion our unit re ce ive d training and did a cours e on financial auditing. I s e rve d in th e adm inis tration of th e unit and ch e ck e d its incom e and e xpe ns e s . My s upe rior put m e unde r pre s s ure and told lie s about m e , be caus e I did not com ply to h is de m ands . For e xam ple h e accus e d m e to h ave s tole n m one y. H e pas s e d on th is k ind of accus ations to h is s upe riors , s o th at I w ould be punis h e d. It w as unbe arable . Th e re fore I w e nt to m y fam ily in As m ara. Afte r one m onth I w as arre s te d, and w as brough t to th e police s tation in Ge gje re t. Afte r th at I w as s e nt to Adiabe to. I de m ande d re pe ate dly: "I w ant to be brough t to m y unit. If I am to ge t punis h e d, th e n I w ant to ge t punis h e d th e re ." H ow e ve r, afte r s om e w e e k s I w as able to e s cape from th e pris on in Adiabe to and w e nt to Adis e gdo.

I m anage d to s tay th e re for m ore th an a ye ar. I h ad to h ide all th e tim e , gue s ts w e re not allow e d to s e e m e , and I could not le ave th e h ous e . Th e ne igh bours w e re not s uppos e d to s e e m e , s o th at th e y could not re port m e to th e police . During th is tim e I got in contact w ith frie nds of m y fath e r, w h o gave m e

oppos ition pape rs , for e xam ple from th e ELF (Eritre an Libe ration Front). Be caus e I h ad be e n gone for a long tim e , th e auth oritie s put pre s s ure on m y fath e r, and finally arre s te d h im . W ith th e h e lp of h is frie nds , I w as finally able to fle e to Sudan.

Inte rvie w w ith Bis rat H abte Micae l from 28 May 2004.

Note s[1] "Th e h e licopte r": th e victim is tie d

w ith a rope by h ands and fe e t be h ind th e back , lying on th e ground face dow n, outs ide in th e h ot s un, rain or fre e z ing cold nigh ts , s trippe d of uppe r garm e nts .

My torture in th e s un

Docum e ntation: CO and De s e rtion in Eritre a

If you w ant to k now m ore about Eritre a, dow nload our docum e ntation on cons cie n-tious obje ction and de s e rtion in Eritre a from h ttp://w ri-irg.org/ ne w s /2005/e ritre a-e n.h tm .

Th ous ands of pe ople arre s te d on s us picion of e vading m ilitary cons cription and h e ld at Adi Abe to arm y pris on are th ough t to be at s e rious ris k of torture and ill-tre at-m e nt. At le as t a doz e n pris one rs h ave re porte dly be e n s h ot de ad and m any m ore w e re w ounde d

follow ing a dis turbance at th e pris on. On 4 Nove m be r Eritre an s e curity force s in th e capital, As m ara, indis crim inate ly arre s te d th ous ands of youth s and oth e rs s us pe cte d of e vading m ilitary con-s cription. Th e arre s ts took place in th e s tre e ts , s h ops and office s , at roadblock s and in h om e s . Th os e arre s te d w e re tak e n to Adi Abe to arm y pris on jus t outs ide As m ara. Conditions in th is m ilitary h olding ce ntre are h ars h , w ith s e ve re ove rcrow ding, little food or s anita-tion. Many de taine e s h ave re por-te dly be e n force d to s le e p outs ide in th e ve ry cold w e ath e r w ith out blank e ts or s h oe s . Pris one rs h ave no acce s s e ith e r to th e ir fam ilie s or to law ye rs .

Tow ards m idnigh t on 4 Nove m -be r, a pris on w all w as appare ntly pus h e d ove r by s om e pris one rs , pos s ibly in an e s cape atte m pt. Sol-die rs ope ne d fire and s h ot de ad a num be r of th e pris one rs , w ounding m any m ore . On 8 Nove m be r, th e M inis te r of Inform ation s aid th at tw o pris one rs h ad be e n k ille d. Oth e r s ource s claim at le as t a doz e n pe ople w e re k ille d, and th at bodie s w e re burie d w ith out be ing re turne d to th e ir fam ilie s . Th os e w ounde d w e re tak e n to h os pital and h e ld incom m unicado unde r m ilitary guard.Am ne s ty Inte rnational, 9 Nove m be r 2004, AFR 64/008/2004

Abrah am Ge bre ye s us Me h re te ab addre s s e d th e 61s t s e s s ion of th e Com m is s ion on H um an Righ ts on be h alf of W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational. W e docum e nt h is s tate m e nt be low .

Mr Ch airm an

I'm re pre s e nting W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational. W e conduct re -s e arch on cons cie ntious obje ction to m ilitary s e rvice in m any coun-trie s . Las t ye ar, w e unde rtook a pre lim inary s urve y on th e is s ue of Eritre an cons cie ntious obje ctors . W e le arne d th at th e re are th ous ands of Eritre an cons cie n-tious obje ctors and de s e rte rs .

In Eritre a th e righ t of cons cie n-tious obje ction is not re cogniz e d by law w ith th e pre s e nt gove rn-m e nt. Som e m e m be rs of re ligious groups s uch as th e Je h ovah W it-ne s s e s are in cus tody s ince m ore th an 10 ye ars be caus e of th e ir convictions to re fus e to s e rve in th e m ilitary. Th e y ne ve r h ad a h e aring in court.

Arbitrary de te ntion, torture , de ploym e nt at th e front line , force d labour – all w ith out any h e aring – h ave be e n com m on w ays to punis h de s e rte rs and obje ctors . A ve ry ofte n us e d w ay of m ilitary punis h m e nt is to tie victim s and to lay th e m in th e s un for days or s om e tim e s w e e k s .

Furth e rm ore re lative s of de s e r-te rs are th re ate ne d to pus h th e ir ch ildre n to s e nd th e m to th e ir units .

Alth ough it is difficult to k now th e e xact num be r, th ous ands from th e arm y are e vading th e m ilitary s e rvice . Th e y de clare th e ir obje ction th rough various m e ans . Th e y cons cie ntious ly obje ct, de s e rt or fle e th e m ilitary dictators h ip. A lot of th e de s e rte rs are as k ing for political as ylum in fore ign countrie s .

W e re q ue s t th e UN Com m is -s ion on H um an Righ ts to tak e

note of th e continuous violations agains t cons cie ntious obje ctors and th at it tak e furth e r m e as ure s to e ns ure th at cons cie ntious ob-je ctors and de s e rte rs ge t as ylum prote ction in accordance w ith th e Ge ne va Conve ntion on th e s tatus of re fuge e s ..

W e als o re q ue s t th e Spe cial Rapporte ur on Fre e dom of Re ligion or Be lie f to inve s tigate th e s ituation of cons cie ntious obje ctors and oth e r m e m be rs of th e arm y, particularly in Eritre a.

And w e re q ue s t th e Eritre an gove rnm e nt th at it com ply w ith Com m is s ion Re s olution 19 9 8/77: and in particular th at it

1. re le as e s im m e diate ly all cons cie ntious obje ctors ;

2. re cogniz e s th e righ t to re fus e th e m ilitary s e rvice

on re as ons of cons cie nce , including profound convictions , aris ing from re ligious , e th ical, h um ani-tarian or s im ilar m otive s ;

3. introduce s an alte rnative s e rvice com patible w ith re as ons for cons cie ntious obje ction.

Th ank you ve ry m uch .

Abrah am Ge bre ye s us Me h re te ab

Abrah am Ge bre ye s us Me h re te ab is an activis t w ith th e Eritre an Anti-Militaris m Initiave , bas e d in Ge rm any, and re pre s e nte d W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational at th e Com m is s ion on H um an Righ ts

4

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Th e Brok e n Rifle No 68, Nove m be r 2005Pris one rs for Pe ace

For th e righ t to cons cie ntious obje ctionPre s e ntation for th e Unite d Nations Com m is s ion on H um an Righ ts 61s t s e s s ion, Ge ne va, 14 March – 22 April 2005

Re lative s of COs arre s te d

Am ne s ty Inte rnational re porte d on 28 July 2005 about th e arre s t of s e ve ral h undre d re lative s of pe ople w h o h ave e vade d or de s e r-te d from th e m ilitary. Th e arre s ts took place in th e De bug re gion of s outh e rn Eritre a s ince 15 July.

Am ne s ty re porte d: "Th os e arre s te d w e re th e fath e rs , m oth e rs or oth e r re lative s of m e n or w om e n ove r th e age of 18 w h o h ave e ith e r faile d to re port for national s e rvice s ince 19 9 4, faile d to atte nd th e com puls ory final s ch ool ye ar at Saw a m ilitary training cam p, aban-done d th e ir arm y unit, or le ft th e country ille gally. Th e re lative s h ave be e n accus e d of facilitating th e ir e vas ion of cons cription or fligh t abroad. Officials re porte dly offe re d th e m re le as e on bail of be tw e e n 10,000 and 50,000 nak fa (US$660 to US$3,300), if th e y guarante e d th at th e y w ould produce th e ir m is s ing re lative ."

Th os e arre s te d are h e ld incom -m unicado in diffe re nt pris ons . "Many h e ld in Adi K e ih tow n pris on re porte dly be gan a h unge r s trik e in prote s t at th e ir de te ntion and h ave be e n m ove d to Mai Se rw a m ilitary cam p ne ar th e capital As m ara", Am ne s ty re porte d.

Am ne s ty Inte rnational, 28 July 2005, AFR 64/011/2005

Th ous ands of pe ople h e ld at Adi Abe to arm y pris on

Abrah am Ge bre ye s us Me h re te ab (th ird from le ft) at a NGO m e e ting in Ge ne va.