Conscientious Objector at Legal Loophole

Corlu Martial court rules conscientious objector Halil Savda to be released pending trial today.

Savda was arrested on December 7 on the case where he's tried with "disobedience to orders with intention of avoiding military duty totally or partially" as defined on article 88 of the Martial Penal Code.

Upon his release, he was taken to the army barracks in Gelibolu. Authorities use this legal loophole to pressure the conscientious objectors. It's probable that Savda will face disciplinary punishment again in the barracks for disobeying the orders.

A European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on January 24 2006 condemned the Turkish government for lack of legal arrangements for objectors to military service, which is compulsory by law for every Turkish male citizen over 18 years of age.

Platform on conscientious objection

Objecting to military service in Turkey is an offence and, as recent experiences have shown, one in which civilians who have not yet been recruited can face charges and sentences at military tribunals.

15 democratic mass organizations and political parties have united in recent months to launch a Conscientious Objection Platform to defend the rights of those who reject compulsory military service.

The platform demands the lifting of legislation that restricts anti-militarism and defines it as a punishable offence of "discouraging the people from military service".

Inclusive of the abolishment of laws under which conscientious objectors can be prosecuted for "insistence of disobeying orders" and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, martial criminal law articles 87 and 88.(EÜ)