The Broken Rifle, 68

Cons cie ntious Obje ction in Eritre a 1 De ce m be r: Pris one rs for Pe ace Day Back ground to th e country

Eritre a, l ocate d in th e h orn of Africa, w on its de -facto inde pe nde nce on 24 M ay 19 9 1 afte r 30 ye ars ofa bitte r, bl oody and cos tl y arm e d s truggl e agains trul e by its ne igh bour, Eth iopia. Eritre a form al l y de cl are d inde pe nde nce on 24 M ay 19 9 3 afte r an ove rw h e l m 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% incl ude K unam a, Nara, Bie l e n, Ras h aida, H idarb and Sah o. Th e tw o dom inating re l igions are Ch ris tianity, incl uding Coptics , Cath ol ics and oth e r Prote s tant de m oninations , and Is l am . Th e officiall anguage s are Tigrigna, Engl is h and Arabic, butdive rs e e th nic l anguage s pe rs is tas w e l l .

Th e Ital ians col onis e d and nam e d Eritre a in 189 0. Afte r th e Ital ian de fe atin W orl d W ar II, its African col onie s ofEritre a, Som al ia and Libya w e re pl ace d unde r th e prote ctorate ofBritain for 10 ye ars .

Th e future ofth e s e th re e nations w as a h otis s ue in th e Unite d Nations from 19 45 to 19 50, e nding in an il l -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 viol ate d th e te rm s of th e confe de ration and de cl are d Eritre a to be its 14th province . In th e s am e ye ar, th e Eritre an Libe ration Front(ELF) be gan arm e d re s is tance unde r th e l e ade rs h ip of H am id Idris Aw ate .

In 19 70 a faction ofth e ELF, k now n as th e Pe opl e s Force s of Eritre a (PFE), brok e aw ay. Itw as a re vol utionary m ove m e ntl e d by th e younge r ge ne ration. Afte r its firs t congre s s in 19 77, th e PFE re organis e d as th e Eritre an Pe opl es Libe ration Front(EPLF) and e cl ips 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 l ong w ar.

Th e EPLF im m e diate l y e s tabl is h e d a trans itionalgove rnm e nt unde r Is s ayas Afe w e rk i, l e ade r of th e s ucce s s fulfigh tfor inde pe nde nce . EPLF m e m be rs took al ladm inis trative pos ts and oth e r k e y pos itions . In 19 9 4 th e th ird congre s s ofth e EPLF re nam e d its e l fth e Pe opl e s Frontfor De m ocracy and Jus tice (PFDJ).

Unl ik e its nam e , th e re gim e w as unde m ocratic and unjus t. M ore ove r, itw as uncons titutional . Its ow n Eritre an Cons titutional

Com m is s ion, s e tup in 19 9 4, h ad produce d th e cons titution of19 9 7 afte r ratification by th e Eritre an pe opl e . Th e re gim e ignore d th is and, afte r Se pte m be r 2001, im pris one d 11 prom ine ntm e m be rs ofth e oppos ition party w h ich h ad de m ande d de m ocratic ch ange and e nforce m e ntofth e ratifie d cons titution.

Today, th e PFDJ is th e s ol e l aw m ak e r in a h ars h dictators h ip.

Eritre ans are de nie d th e ir bas ic civiland h um an righ ts , any prote s ts al w ays e nding in arbitrary arre s t, de te ntion and torture . For al l Eritre ans w h os e vis ion ofth e ir ne w nation incl ude d pe ace , s tabil ity and pros pe rity, th e s cal e ofw ars , corruption and abus e ofpow e r th at fol l ow e d inde pe nde nce w as unbe l ie vabl e . El e 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 rul e.

In th e l as tth re e ye ars , th e m il itary training cam p Saw a w as e s tabl is h e d as h e adq uarte rs for unive rs alnationals e rvice . Al lh igh s ch ools tude nts , fe m al e and m al e, are force d to finis h th e ir 12th ye ar ofs tudy in a s ch oolw ith in Saw a.

None ofth e m h ave re turne d for furth e r e duation atunive rs ity once th e y com pl e te d nationals e rvice .

Th e Unive rs ity ofAs m ara, Eritre a’s onl y unive rs ity, h as onl y th ird and fourth ye ar s tude nts w h o h ad e nte re d be fore th e draftcam e into e ffe ct.

Th e gove rnm e nth as m il itaris e d th e country com pl e te l y. Force d re cruitm e ntofyoung pe opl e , unde rage ch il dre n and adul ts unde r 50 is a dail y e ve nt. Re cruits are tre ate d brutal l y and th e re is e vide nce of s e xualabus e ofw om e n. Nobody h as a righ tto q ue s tion th e m il iary auth oritie s . Nobody h as a righ tto cons cie ntious obje ction.

O ve r th e pas tth re e and a h al f ye ars , Eritre ans h ave be e n de nie d th e ir cons titutionalrigh toffre e e xpre s s ion. Th e re are no inde pe nde ntne w s pape rs , TVch anne l s or radio s tations . Th e onl y active m e dia are gove rnm e ntow ne d.

O nl y th e Inte rne tgive s th os e w h o h ave acce s s to ita s ource of inform ation notcol oure d by gove rnm e ntpropaganda.

Fore ign pol icy h as is ol ate d th e country from h um an righ ts organis ations , aid age ncie s and th e inte rnationalcom m unity atl arge .

Th e dictator h as us e d th e conce pt ofNationalUnity to intim idate and dis cre ditoppone nts ofth e re gim e .

W ar is a Crim e agains tH um anity: Th e Story ofTh e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational Ne 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 orl d W ar I, h as k e pt th e banne rs of cons cie ntious obje ction and abol ition of w ar fl ying 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 il lbring aboutth e e nd ofw ar."

Joh an Gal tung, dr h c m ul t, ProfofPe 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 until19 62. From 19 62-19 72 h e w as Ge ne ralSe cre tary ofth e W RI. Publ is h e d by: W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational ISBN 0-9 03517-20-5. 560 page s , 67 ph otos . Publ ication date : 21 O ctobe r 2005 £28.00 pl us pos tage .

O rde r now on our w e bs h op ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/e n

Re l igious m inoritie s are be ing pe rs e cute d by m e ans ofpris on and torture . According to th e Com pas s Dire ctne 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, incl uding groups at praye r, w h ol e w e dding partie s , and h om e Bibl e s tudy groups , inte l l e ctual s and profe s s ional s . O fte n ch il dre n and th e e l de rl y are am ong th os e arre s te d.

According to Th e Ch ris tian Pos t of24 Fe bruary 2005 th e Eritre an gove rnm e nts ince M ay 2002 h as cl os e d dow n th e country’s Prote s tantch urch e s , de cl aring th e ir pl ace s ofw ors h ip il l e galand forbidding h om e gath e rings . O nl y four re l igions are official l y acce ptabl e : O rth odox Ch ris tianity, Cath ol icis m , Luth e ranis m and Is l am .

Cons cie ntious obje ction is taboo.

CO s are brande d by th e re gim e as cow ardl y and unpatriotic. Th e re is no re cours e to th e l aw nor s ubs titute civil ian s e rvice for CO s . Th e cons e q ue nce s ofcons cie ntious obje ction and de s e rtion are s e ve re torture , l ong-te rm im pris onm e nt and e ve n de ath .

Afte r th e h orrors ofth e borde r w ar w ith Eth iopia from 19 9 8 to 2000, th e num be r ofCO s w ith in th e m il itary incre as e d. Today th e re are th ous ands w h o obje cte d to m il itary s e rvice and th e m il itary. Th e y are force d to go into e xil e.

Cons ide rabl e num be rs ofth e m are in Europe , Libya, Eth iopia and Sudan s e e k ing pol iticalas yl um . In Ge rm any, Eritre an re fuge e s founde d th e Eritre an Antim il itaris m Initiative (EAI), w h ich s upports re fuge e s w h o h ad to fl e e from th e Eritre an m il itary and figh ts for pe ace and antim il itaris m in Eritre a.

Cons e q ue nce s ofw ar

Th e adve rs e im pactofth e l ong w ar for inde pe nde nce and l ate r confl icts on Eritre an s ocie ty and e conom y h ave be e n incal cul abl e.

Th e y h ave e xace rbate d th e cycl e ofdraugh t, w h ich h as affl icte d th e e ntire re gion and caus e d m il l ions of pe opl e to be com e de pe nde nton e xte rnalas s is tance for th e ir s urvival . Th e re s ul ts ofth e s e dis pute s are h orre ndous : l os s ofl ife , im pove ris h m e nt, dis pl ace m e ntof pe opl e,l and m ine h az ards , l ooting, confis cation ofprope rty, e xil e, traum a.

Atth e m om e nt, m ore th an one th ird ofth e Eritre an popul ation is l iving in e xil e . Th e w ar h as re s ul te d in th e dis inte gration offam il ie s and th e l os s ofcul ture and norm s of s ocie ity both ath om e and in e xil e.

Inte rnationaland national NGO s

are ignore d. Al linte rnational journal is ts h ave be e n official l y banne d.

Cons cie ntious O bje ction as one w ay to pe ace

Th e pe opl e ofEritre a are in pol itical , s ocialand e conom ic cris is . Th e re is an urge ntne e d to e s tabl is h a h e al th y de m ocratic atm os ph e re w ith a cons titutional l y el e cte d l e ade rs h ip and a m ul tiparty pol iticals ys te m . Th e re is an urge nt ne e d to re l e as e al lpol iticalpris one rs and CO s . H e nce th e AEI is advocating th e re fus alofm il itary s e rvice in th e above conte xt.

W e be l ie ve th atre fus ing m il itary s e rvice , m il itaris 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 oral ity. W e be l ie ve th e y are th e ans w e r to w ith s tanding th e propaganda ofnationalunity and nationals ove re ignty, w h ich are m is l e ading and provacative .

2. Th e m ore pe opl e s ay No to w ar in Eritre a and th e m ore pe opl e s ay No to w ar in our ne igh bouring countrie s , th e re gion and th e w orl d, th e m ore gove rnm e nts m ay be gin to th ink about pe ace fuls ol utions , s tartto de ve l op re s pe ctfor h um an l ife and pl an to buil d a jus tand 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 bal ance agains tw ar and m il itaris m . A CO is atth e oth e r e xtre m e ofa w arl ord. W e be l ie ve CO s can confrontand dive rtm il itary obje ctive s .

Ste ps for l as ting pe ace

Th e AEI be l ie ve s th atth e fol l ow ing s te ps can h e l p to ach ie ve al as ting pe ace on th e bas is of h um an, civiland pol iticalrigh ts .

1. Introduce and cul tivate re s pe ct for th e righ tofcons cie ntious obje ction and offe r CO s al te rnative civil ian s e rvice .

2. Es tabl is h a cul ture ofpl ural is m , civil ity, re s pe ctand tol e rance .

3. De ve l op th e pol iticall e ade rs h ip on principl e s ofde m ocracy.

4. Adoptnonviol e ntw ays of s truggl e.

5. Sol ution ofconfl icts pe ace ful l y th rough dial ogue , m e diation and ne gotiation.

6. Re s pe ctfor inte rnationall aw .

Yoh anne s K idane is a re fuge e from Eritre a and l ive s in Ge rm any, Th e re is l ittl e activity by national w h e re h e is active w ith th e and inte rnationalnon-gove rnm e ntal Eritre an Antim il itaris m Initiative organis ations (NGO s ). W h atdoe s e xis tis unde r th e s upe rvis ion ofth e Source s : re gim e . Th e re are no inte rnational Eritre an De m ocratic Partie s NGO s th atadvocate h um an righ ts (EDP) m anife s to, As m arion and or w itne s s th e force d m il itary Aw ate h om e page s on th e re cruitm e ntw ith its brutal ity of Inte rne t. re cruits and its pe rs e cution ofCO s .

Nor doe s th e gove rnm e nttol e rate Eritre an Antim il itaris m Initiative , inde pe nde ntnationalNGO s , c/o Yoh anne s K idane , h um an righ ts groups , inte rnational Bah ns tras s e 51, D-61449 obs e rve rs or fore ign re porte rs .

Ste inbach , e m ail Inve s tigations de m ande d by yoh anne s k 2000@ yah oo.com Am ne s ty Inte rnationaland oth e rs

Editorial

M any ofus m igh tre m e m be r th e h ope s conne cte d w ith Eritre an inde pe nde nce back in th e e arl y 19 9 0s . I m ys e l fre m e m be r re ading abouts e l f-re l iantde ve l opm e nt, th e form ation ofcoope rative s , and in ge ne ralabout Eritre a tak ing a path w h ich w oul d notre l y on inte rnational ins titutions s uch as th e W orl d 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 l ate r th e s ituation l ook s e ntire l y diffe re ntl y, and th is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e can onl y give a gl im ps e ofw h atis actual l y h appe ning in th e country. W h e n W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational firs tre ce ive d inform ation from th e Eritre an Antim il itaris m Initiative , w e w e re s h ock e d. Force d re cruitm e ntand im pris onm e nt/e xe cution ofyoung pe opl e – m e n and w om e n – w h o avoid m il itary s e rvice s e e m s to be a dail y fe ature for Eritre a's youth , w ith e xil e th e onl y "al te rnative ".

W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational 's contacts in Africa are s til lpoor. Four ye ars ago, in 2001, w e h igh l igh te d th e s ituation in Angol a on 15 M ay (Inte rnationalCons cie ntious O bje 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 outto African antim il itaris tgroups , w h e re th e y e xis t. Th e articl e s in th is is s ue – - th e inte rvie w s w ith obje ctors – s h ow ve ry cl e arl y h ow urge ntl y Eritre an w ar re s is te rs ne e d our s upport.

M ore inform ation on th e s ituation in Eritre a is avail abl e in a docum e ntation publ is h e d on W RI's w e bs ite ath ttp://w riirg.org/ne w s /2005/e ritre ae n.h tm . Fe e lfre e to dow nl oad and dis tribute .

Andre as Spe ck

Th e Brok e n Rifl e Th e Brok e n Rifl e is th e ne w s l e tte r ofW ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , and is publ is h e d in Engl is 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 ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e w as produce d by Andre as Spe ck . Spe cialth ank s go to Nuk e Re s is te r, Forum 18, Am ne s ty Inte rnational , and al l oth e rs w h o provide d th e inform ation us e d in th is is s ue , and to M itz i Bal e s for h e l p w ith e diting. Ifyou w ante xtra copie s ofth is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e , pl e as e contactth e W RI office , or dow nl oad itfrom our w e bs ite .

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

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Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 68, Nove m be r 2005

Pris one rs for Pe ace

Pris one rs for Pe ace H onour Rol l2005 H ow th e l is tw ork s Firs tare pris one rs ' nam e s (in bol d), fol l ow e d by th e ir s e nte nce , th e n th e ir pl ace ofim pris onm e ntw ith +and, final l y th e re as on for th e ir de te ntion.

Inform ation aboutcountrie 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 pl e te d during th e ye ar, are in ital ics .

Arm e nia Al th ough Arm e nia pas s e d a l aw on cons cie ntious obje ction in 2004, th e country continue s to im pris on cons cie ntious obje ctors . M any cons cie ntious obje ctors al so re fus e to s e rve s ubs titute s e rvice , as it is control l e 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 ubs titute s e rvice in 2005, now facing ch arge s ofde s e rtion.

M h e r M anuk yan (16/12/04– 15/12/06) Arm an M arinos yan (23/02/05– 22/02/07) Rom a K arape tyan (24/02/05– 23/02/07) Se rge y O vanis yan (28/02/05– 27/08/06) Ge vork M anuk yan (03/03/05– 02/03/07) As h otTorgom yan (14/03/05– 13/03/07) Sark is K arape tyan (06/04/05– 05/10/06) TatulGogz h 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) + K os h Pe nalIns titution, K os h , Arm e nia Sure n Bars e gyan (09 /06/05– 08/06/07) As h otVirabyan (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 M uradyan (02/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Vagars h ak M ark aryan (17/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Boris M e l k um yan (17/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Artur Ch il ingarov (18/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Gagik Davtyan (18/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Garik Be gdz anyan (19 /08/05, aw aiting trial ) Artur Ak opyan (23/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Sh al ik o Sargs yan (26/08/05, aw aiting trial ) + Nubaras h e n Pe nalIns titution, Nubaras h e n, Arm e nia Tigran Abraam yan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Garaz atAz atyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Vaye Grigoryan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Garik M e l k onyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) K arl e n Sim onyan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Ge nrik Safaryan (22/08/05, aw aiting trial ) Gayk K h 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 nalIns titution, Sh us h i, Nagorno-K arabak h Arm e nian citiz e n w h o w as trans fe rre d to s e rve in Nagorno-K arabak h and im pris one d th e re for re fus al to s e rve . NagornoK arabak h is an Arm e nian e ncl ave , de -facto inde pe nde nt but de -jure part of Az e rbaijan.

Arm e nian force s s upport NagornoK arabak h force s , and th e Crim inalCode of th e Re publ ic of Nagorno-K arabak h is al m os t ide nticalw ith th e Crim inalCode of Arm e nia.

Eritre a Paul os Eyas s u (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Ne ge de Te k l e m ariam (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Is aac M ogos (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Aron Abrah a (09 /05/2001— ) M us s ie Fe s s e h aye (June 2003— ) Am bak om Ts e ge z ab (Fe bruary 2004— ) Be m ne tFe s s e h aye (Fe bruary 2005— ) H e nok Gh e bru (Fe bruary 2005— ) + aS aw a Pris on, Eritre a

"crim e ".

Th e m axim um pe nal ty cons cie ntious obje ction is th re e ye ars .

for

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

Finl and Al th ough unde r pre s s ure from th e UN and oth e r inte rnational ins titutions , Finl and continue s to im pris on totalobje ctors , and re fus e s to bring its l aw on s ubs titute s e rvice in l ine 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 l aw – for th e firs t tim e th e Finnis h Union of CO s w il lbe s itting on th e com m itte e w h ich drafts th e l aw – but re ducing th e l e ngth of s ubs titute s e rvice h as be e n e xcl ude 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. O n 1 O ctobe r, 12 totalobje ctors w e re in pris on, but onl y tw o w h o w il ls til lbe in pris on on 1 De ce m be r gave pe rm is s ion to publ is h th e ir nam e s .

Saul i K orpil uom a (02/08/05— 27/01/06) Al e k s e i Riik one n (12/09 /05— 29 /03/06) + H el s ingin työs iirtol a, PL36, 01531 Vantaa, Finl and

Gre e ce In 2005, th e s ituation in Gre e ce got w ors e , in s pite of broad inte rnational atte ntion.

Al re ady in De ce m be r 2004, Laz aros Pe trom e l idis 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 til lfre e , butcoul d be arre s te d.

O th e r cons cie ntious obje ctors h ave be e n brie fl y im pris one d in M ay 2005, and s e nte nce d to s us pe nde d s e nte nce s .

Se ve ralCO s are aw aiting th e outcom e of th e ir appe al trial s , and coul d face im pris onm e nt.

Is rae l Se ve ralIs rae l i draft re s is te rs w e nt to pris on on re pe ate d pris on te rm s , accum ul ating m ore th an 100 days in pris on. Am ong th e m w e re Al e x K oh n, one of th e initiate rs of th e H igh Sch ool s e niors ' (Sh m inis tim ) l e tte r, and Druz e obje ctor W is s am Qabl an.

H ow e ve r, th e Is rae l i practice of im pos ing dis cipl inary s e nte nce s of up to 5 w e e k s re pe ate dl y m ak e s it im pos s ibl e to pre dict now w h o w il lbe in pris on on 1 De ce m be r.

Pl e as e ch e ck W RI's w e bs ite for update s and ne w al e rts ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/ne w s /al e rts .

Ne th e rl ands

South K ore a In 2004, th e country's Supre m e Court and Cons titutionalCourt rul e d agains t th e righ t to cons cie ntious obje ction. Pre s e ntl y, 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 ntl y, tw o cas e s are pe nding be fore th e Unite d Nations ' H um an Righ ts Com ite e .

Convicte d in De ce m be r 2004 for re fus alto pay w ar taxe s on re l igious grounds RafilDh afir (aw aiting s e nte ncing 18/11/05) + Jam e s vil l e Corre ctionalFacil ity, PO B 143, Jam e s vil l e , NY 13078 Convicte d for providing h um anitarian and financial aid to Iraq is in viol ation of US s anctions , Fe bruary 2005 M ich ae lD. Poul in (1479 3-09 7) (27 m onth s ― out25/01/06) + aFPC Sh e ridan Unit5, PO B 6000, Sh e ridan, O R 9 7378.

Convicte d of dam aging el e ctricity trans m is s ion tow e rs to s h ow th e fragil ity of th e US e m pire

Laro Nicol(80430-008) (2 ye ars ― out 15/06/06) + FCI Safford, PO B 9 000, Safford, AZ Th e pe rs e cution of cons cie ntious obje ctors 85548 re s um e d in April , w ith th e arre s t of M e h m e t H um an righ ts and anti-w ar activis t fram e d Tarh an. Th e re are m ore th an 50 de cl are d os ive s obje ctors in Turk e y, m os t of th e m can ge t on fabricate d fire arm s and e xpl e ad no conte s t to avoid l onge r arre s te d at any tim e . H ow e ve r, in ge ne ral ch arge s , pl Turk is h auth oritie s avoid arre s ting te rm . M ore info at aro.h tm cons cie ntious obje ctors – w ith e xce ptions , h ttp://w w w .ph oe nixcopw atch .org/fre e l as th e cas e ofM e h m e tTarh an s h ow s .

Ne ilQue ntin Lucas (13 m onth s ― out 22/08/06) M e h m e tTarh an (08/04/05— ) + Buil ding 149 0, Randol ph Rd, FortSil l , + Sivas M il itary Pris on, 5. Piyade Egitim O K 73503 Tugayi, As k e ri Ce z ae vi, Te m e l te pe – Re fus e d to de pl oy afte r CO cl aim is Sivas , Turk e y ignore d.

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 K e vin Be nde rm an (15 m onth s ― in "ins ubordination in front of h is unit". Ne w 29 /07/05) ch arge s are pos s ibl e. + c/o Be nde rm an De fe ns e , PO B 2322, H ine s vil l e , GA 31310 Care e r Arm y office r de nie d CO s tatus , USA convicte d ofm is s ing m ove m e ntto Iraq

Turk e y

Arde th Pl atte (10857-039 ) (41 m onth s ― out22/12/05) + FPC Danbury, Pe m brok e Station Rt. 37, Danbury, CT 06811-0379 Sacre d Earth and Space Pl ow s h are s dis arm am e nt of Col orado nucl e ar m is s il e s il o, 06/10/02;convicte d ofs abotage

Je rry Te xie ro (aw aiting court-m artial ) + Pine l l as County Jail , 14400 49 th St. N., Cl e arw ate r, FL33762-289 0 Vie tnam -e ra M arine Corps de s e rte r for re as ons of cons cie nce , arre s te d on 16 Augus t2005 (!). Aw aiting court-m artial .

H el e n W oods on (03231-045) (106 m onth s ― in 11/03/04) + FM C Cars w e l l , M ax Unit, PO B 27137, Ft. W orth , TX 76127 Anti-w ar prote s t at th e fe de ralcourth ous e , K ans as City, M is s ouri, on 11/03/04 in viol ation of parol e fol l ow ing re l e as e from pris on on 03/09 /04. Pl e d guil ty to viol ation 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 il ade l ph ia, PO B 561, Ph il ade l ph ia, PA 19 106

Turi Vaccaro (aw aiting trial ) + H vB de Bos ch poot, Nas s aus inge l26, 4811 DG Bre da, Th e Ne th e rl ands Pl ow s h are s dis arm am e nt action of F-16 nucl e ar bom be rs at W oe ns dre ch t AFB on Augus t10, 2005;trialre s um e s on 13/10/05

O n 1 De ce m be r, putas ide atl e as tone h our and w rite atl e as tfour cards to pris one rs ; Ge tyour pe ace group or cl as s or m e e ting pl ace to organis e a card-w riting s e s s ion; Se tup a s tal lin your tow n ce ntre , pe rform a bitofs tre e tth e atre , or do w h ate ve r el s e ittak e s to attractatte ntion and inte re s t.

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Pue rto Rico Jos é Vél e z Acos ta (23883-069 ) (five ye ars – outon 27/01/06) + USP, PO B 1033, Col e m an, Fl orida 33521-1033, USA

Se nding cards and l e tte rs

Jos é Pére z Gonz ál e z (21519 -069 ) (five ye ars – out15/07/08) + Edge fie l d FCI, PO Box 725, Edge fie l d, SC 29 824, USA

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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 viol ation on 01/05/03 for re s is ting th e US m il itary bom bardm e nt of Vie q ue s , Pue rto Rico. Pl e as e s e nd e conom ic s upport for pris one rs and fam il ie s , and any re turne d l e tte rs to: M ay 1 Arre s te e s Support Com m itte e , P.O . Box 19 179 2, San Juan, PR 009 19 -179 2

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Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 68, Nove m be r 2005

Pris one rs for Pe ace

3

I've h ad e nough ofth e w ar I w as born on 10 January 19 81 in As m ara. I w as jus t15 ye ars ol d, and w e w e re tol d th atw e w oul d ge tth e re s ul ts of th e s ch ooll e aving e xam inations onl y afte r bas ic training in th e National Se rvice . Th at's w h y I joine d th e m il itary, h oping th atm y e xam re s ul ts w e re good and I coul dl e ave afte r bas ic training to s tudy. In 19 9 6 I w as brough tto Saw a for bas ic training.

Som e ofth e girl s th e re h ad run aw ay from h om e and joine d th e National Se rvice , al th ough th e y w e re s til lm 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 . Butth e auth oritie s al w ays re fus e d th at.

Many girl s w e re rape d. Th e re w e re girl s w h o adapte d th e m s e l ve s to th e s ituation and m ade advance s to office rs outofth e ir ow n initiative , to avoid be ing rape d. Th e re w e re onl y m al e office rs .

Th os e w h o didn'tcom pl y, w h o re je cte d th e m e n w e re give n th e w ors tw ork or s e ntinto th e w ar. Th e girl s w h o h ad be e n rape d butdidn'tw antto com pl y w e re s e ntto th e fronttoo. Th e girl s w h o w e re com pl iantand pre tty w e re tre ate d w e l l .

Ofte n th e y gotpre gnantinvol untaril y.

W e w e re in Bak a, in th e are a of Girm aik . Th os e girl s w h o re fus e d to pl ay th e h ous e w ife h ad to s tand on guard s e rvice for 3-4 h ours atnigh tas a form of punis h m e nt. Th os e young m e n w h o w ante d to h e l p th e m w e re punis h e d too – th e y w e re orde re d to s tand atatte ntion in th e s un for an e ntire day. Th e oth e r girl s, w h o pl aye d al ong w ith th e gam e , w e re tre ate d w e l l .

Th os e w h o coul d s tand itno l onge r, w h o w ante d to s e e th e ir fam il y, fl e d in th e e nd. Som e re turne d on th e ir ow n, oth e rs w e re caugh tby th e m il itary pol ice and punis h e d w ith th e h e l icopte 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 il k , 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 cal l e d k obl el t, outl aw 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 additionalm onth s . Th e n th e w ar be gan. Itis difficul tfor m e to de s cribe th is . Itw as h orribl e . For e xam pl e , th e re w as a rul e th atw h e n s ol die rs w e re w ounde d, th e jik aal o (ol d figh te rs ) h ad to be brough tto th e fie l d h os pitalfirs t. Th e y w e re tak e n outofth e frontl ine firs t, notth e com m on s ol die rs .

Once five or s ix young s ol die rs die d be caus e ofth is . Th e y jus th ad be e n l e ft th e re . W h e n th e unitw ith dre w from th e frontfor a bre ak , s om e w e ntto th e ir fam il ie s w ith outauth oris ation. W h e n th e y re turne d and th e unith ad be e n s e ntback to th e front, th e s e s ol die rs w e re s e nt dire ctl y to th e frontas 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 ofth e w ar. I re porte d il l , al th ough th atm e antI h ad to s tay th e re and coul dn'tgo h om e . Afte r s e ve ralre q ue s ts and com pl aints I final l y gotfive days ofh ol idays , butI s taye d aw ay for 10 days . Th e n I gotve ry s care d.

I re turne d. As punis h m e ntI h ad to carry a big w ate r containe r up and dow n a h il lfor a ful lw e e k .

In May 19 9 9 th e unitcom m ande r trie d

to rape m e . I s cre am e d and oth e rs cam e to h e l p m e and pre ve nte d it from h appe ning. I de m ande d th ath e be punis h e d, butitw as h is re s pons ibil ity to pas s on m y com pl aintto h is s upe riors . H e did notge tpunis h e d.

Afte r th e 2nd invas ion our unit re ce ive d training and did a cours e on financialauditing. I s e rve d in th e adm inis tration ofth e unitand ch e ck e d its incom e and e xpe ns e s .

My s upe rior putm e unde r pre s s ure and tol dl ie s aboutm e , be caus e I did notcom pl y to h is de m ands . For e xam pl e h e accus e d m e to h ave s tol e n m one y. H e pas s e d on th is k ind ofaccus ations to h is s upe riors , s o th atI w oul d be punis h e d. Itw as unbe arabl e . Th e re fore I w e ntto m y fam il y in As m ara. Afte r one m onth I w as arre s te d, and w as brough tto th e pol ice s tation in Ge gje re t. Afte r th atI w as s e ntto Adiabe to. I de m ande d re pe ate dl y: "I w antto be brough tto m y unit. IfI am to ge tpunis h e d, th e n I w ant to ge tpunis h e d th e re ." H ow e ve r, afte r s om e w e e k s I w as abl e to e s cape from th e pris on in Adiabe to and w e ntto 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 al lth e tim e , gue s ts w e re notal l ow e d to s e e m e , and I coul d notl e ave th e h ous e . Th e ne igh bours w e re nots uppos e d to s e e m e , s o th at th e y coul d notre portm e to th e pol ice .

During th is tim e I gotin contactw ith frie nds ofm y fath e r, w h o gave m e

Gl obal is ing Nonviol e nce W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalConfe re nce Sch l os s Eringe rfe l d Pade rborn, Ge rm any 23-27 Jul y 2006

oppos ition pape rs , for e xam pl e from th e ELF (Eritre an Libe ration Front). Be caus e I h ad be e n gone for a l ong tim e , th e auth oritie s putpre s s ure on m y fath e r, and final l y arre s te d h im . W ith th e h e l p of h is frie nds , I w as final l y abl e to fl e e to Sudan.

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

Note s [1] "Th e h e l icopte r": th e victim is tie d w ith a rope by h ands and fe e tbe h ind th e back , l ying on th e ground face dow n, outs ide in th e h ots un, rain or fre e z ing col d nigh ts , s trippe d ofuppe r garm e nts .

M y torture in th e s un

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 nationals 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 nots tick to th e training program but, for e xam pl e , th e y h ad us w as h th e ir cl oth e s or fe tch w ate r, forcing us to s ubm itto th e ir w il l . Th e re w as n'te nough to e at. Spoil tfl our w as us e d for bak ing.

Afte r s ix m onth s ofm il itary training, w e w e nton a m il itary m arch ofm ore th an 120 k il om 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 . Itw as n'tcl e ar w h at w e did th atfor;th e tre nch e s w e re com pl e te l y us e l e s s . More ove r, itw as col d outth e re butw e didn'tge tany bl ank 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 l ve s w ith . Afte r th atI cam e back to Divis ion 2001, 2nd Brigade , 1s tBattal ion, 3rd Unit, 2nd s e ction. W e w e re de pl oye d atAm bori in th e De m be l as are a, be caus e th e Jih ad (Eritre an Is l am ic Jih ad, EIJ), a s m al l , Sudan-bas e d ins urge ntgroup th ath 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 confl icts w e re ve ry l ik e l y.

In Nove m be r 19 9 7 I w as re l ocate d to Me ns ura to atte nd a m il itary cours e , w h e re w e w e re taugh tth e Am e rican s ys te m offigh ting in s m al lunits . 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 atth is w as in pre paration for w ar. In e arl y Aprilve te rans , w h o h ad be e n cal l e d up for nationals e rvice during th e firs tuntilth e fourth draftw ave , w e re drafte d. As a pre te xtitw as s tate d th atth e y w e re to be invol ve d in de ve l opm e ntm e as ure s .

Actual l y, th e y w e re cal l e d up for w ar and s e ntto us .

On 12 May w e attack e d Badim e . W e m arch e d untilw e gotto De m be ge dam u, 18 to 20 k il om 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 l ie ve d us . W e w e re re l ocate d to Z orona. Initial l y, th e re w as n'tm uch to be done . W e dug tre nch e s . Th e unit's l e ade rs h ad us do private jobs , s uch as h e l ping to grow ve ge tabl e s . Afte r h arve s tw e h ad to pay for th e s e ve ge tabl e s w ith our ow n m one y.

Th e proce e ds w e ntinto th e ir pock e ts . An e ngine e r w h o w as s e rving m il itary s e rvice w as as s igne d to buil d a h ous e for th e m .

I h ad acce pte d to do nationals e rvice . I w as an Eritre ian and re ady to be a s ol die r and figh ta w ar for a good caus e , th atis ifEritre a w as re al l y in dange r. But now I w as to die w h il e oth e rs force d pe opl e to w ork for th e m , w h ich m ade th e m rich e r and rich e r. I didn'ts e e w h y I s h oul d s acrifice m y l ife .

Al e ade r ofjus ta s e ction h as th e auth ority to e nforce h is w il lon w om e n.

Th e m e n al s o h ave to do jobs for h im .

W ith th e l e ade r ofth e unititis e ve n w ors e , al lth e m ore w h e n itcom e s to a battal ion l e ade r. Th e s ituation w as ge tting m ore and m ore ins uffe rabl e.

I s tarte d to oppos e . I s aid, "I'm doing m il itary s e rvice . Al th ough I don'tagre e w ith w h atis going on, I'm a s ol die r. W h y do you h ave m e w ork for your private inte re s ts ?I don'ts e e th e s e ns e ofit."

I w as arre s te d, re l e 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 l ds from 6 am to noon and from 2 to 4 pm toge th e r w ith 22 oth e r s ol die rs . Itw as m e antto be a s ort ofbrainw 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 l e ade r. Th is w as notbe caus e

th e y th ough tI w as cutoutfor th e job but be caus e th e y w ante d to catch m e outat s om e tim e . I h ad to tak e on th is job and l e ad a s e ction offour s ol die rs .

Atth attim e , itw 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 l y, I m ade itoutofth 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 ntto th e front be caus e s h e h ad re fus e d to s ubm itto h e rl e ade rs . W e w e re s tatione d th e re untilMay. Th e n I w as s uppos e d to atte nd a cours e for unitl e ade rs . I re fus e d. I didn'tw antto be invol ve d in private bus ine s s and I didn'tw antto oppre s s m y frie nds .

Be caus e ofth is I w as arre s te d. Th e y poure d a m ixture ofm il k 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 l y for tw o and h al fdays .

Th e days w e re ve ry h otand th e nigh ts e xtre m e l y col d. My s k in gotburne d, bl is te rs de ve l ope d on m y face . I al s o h ad a te rribl e h e adach e . Be caus e ofth e pain I al m os tfainte d. A doctor appe are d and cal l e d for m e dicaltre atm e nt. Initial l y, th e battal ion l e ade r re je cte d th is de m and.

Th e doctor s aid: "I cannottak e th e

re s pons ibil ity. In cas e s om e th ing h appe ns you w il lbe re s pons ibl e ." Th e n th e battal ion l e ade r agre e d to m e dical tre atm e nt. Th e y took m e to a m il itary h os pital , pe e l e d m y s k in, cl e ane d m y fl e s h w ith dis infe ctant, and gave m e te tracycl ine and antibiotic tabl e ts . Th is w as it. I s taye d in h os pitalfor tw o w e e k s .

In s pite ofth e tabl e ts I gotan infe ction. It gotve ry ugl y. For punis h m e ntth e y didn't tre atm e prope rl y. Eve ntual l y, th e y took m e to a m il itary h os pitalin Al l a. Th e re I w as n'tabl e to s e e anyth ing w ith m y l e ft e ye for aboutfour m onth s . I trie d to h ave th e battal ion l e ade r pros e cute d butne ve r re ce ive d a re s pons e .

Som e tim e s m y w ounds h e al e d, s om e tim e s th e y gotinfe cte d again and bl is te rs re appe are d. Itw as a continuous up and dow n. Eve ntual l y, I w as grante d s ick l e ave l as ting m onth s s o th atI w as abl e to trave lto m y fam il y. I appl ie d for a dis ch arge , w h ich w as re je cte d on th e grounds th atas s oon as I re cove re d I w oul d be s e ntback to th e front.

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

Th e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalconfe re nce "Gl obal is ing Nonviol e nce " w il lbe a gre atopportunity to m e e tactivis ts from al love r th e w orl d, to ge tto k now w h atm ak e s th e m tick , and to s e e h ow you can h e l p e ach oth e r m ak e anoth e r w orl d pos s ibl e.

Around th e w orl d, a m ove m e ntofm ove m e nts is conve rging. Th is m ove m e nts e e k s to counte rpos e th e pe rs pe ctive and val ue s ofpe opl e 's pow e r for th os e ofgl obalfinancialins titutions , trans nationalcorporations or gove rnm e nts . Th is is a m ove m e ntofgl obal is ation from be l ow .

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H e nce th e th e m e ofour upcom ing inte rnationalconfe re nce – Gl obal is ing Nonviol e nce .

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BR68/11/05/e n-int

4

Pris one rs for Pe ace

Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 68, Nove m be r 2005

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For th e righ tto cons cie ntious obje ction Pre s e ntation for th e Unite d Nations Com m is s ion on H um an Righ ts 61s ts e s s ion, Ge ne va, 14 M arch – 22 April2005 Abrah am Ge bre ye s us M e 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 al f of W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational . W e docum e nt h is s tate m e ntbe l ow .

M r Ch airm an I'm re pre s e nting W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational . W e conductre s e arch on cons cie ntious obje ction to m il itary s e rvice in m any countrie s . Las tye ar, w e unde rtook a pre l im inary s urve y on th e is s ue of Eritre an cons cie ntious obje ctors .

We l e arne d th atth e re are th ous ands ofEritre an cons cie ntious obje ctors and de s e rte rs .

In Eritre a th e righ tofcons cie ntious obje ction is notre cogniz e d by l aw w ith th e pre s e ntgove rnm e nt. Som e m e m be rs ofre l igious groups s uch as th e Je h ovah W itne s s e s are in cus tody s ince m ore th an 10 ye ars be caus e ofth e ir convictions to re fus e to s e rve in th e m il itary. Th e y ne ve r h ad a h e aring in court.

Arbitrary de te ntion, torture , de pl oym e ntatth e frontl ine , force d l abour – al lw ith outany 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 ofm il itary punis h m e ntis to tie victim s and to l ay 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 l ative s ofde s e rte rs are th re ate ne d to pus h th e ir ch il dre n to s e nd th e m to th e ir units .

Al th ough itis difficul tto k now th e e xactnum be r, th ous ands from th e arm y are e vading th e m il itary s e rvice . Th e y de cl are th e ir obje ction th rough various m e ans . Th e y cons cie ntious l y obje ct, de s e rtor fl e e th e m il itary dictators h ip. A l otofth e de s e rte rs are as k ing for pol iticalas yl um in fore ign countrie s .

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

Th ous ands ofpe opl e arre s te d on s us picion ofe vading m il itary cons cription and h e l d atAdi Abe to arm y pris on are th ough tto be at s e rious ris k oftorture and il l -tre atm e nt. Atl e as ta doz e n pris one rs h ave re porte dl y be e n s h otde ad and m any m ore w e re w ounde d

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note ofth e continuous viol ations agains tcons cie ntious obje ctors and th atittak e furth e r m e as ure s to e ns ure th atcons cie ntious obje ctors and de s e rte rs ge tas yl um prote ction in accordance w ith th e Ge ne va Conve ntion on th e s tatus ofre fuge e s ..

W e al s o re q ue s tth e Spe cial Rapporte ur on Fre e dom of Re l igion or Be l ie fto inve s tigate th e s ituation ofcons cie ntious obje ctors and oth e r m e m be rs of th e arm y, particul arl y in Eritre a.

And w e re q ue s tth e Eritre an gove rnm e ntth atitcom pl y w ith Com m is s ion Re s ol ution 19 9 8/77: and in particul ar th atit 1.

2.

re l e as e s im m e diate l y al l cons cie ntious obje ctors ; re cogniz e s th e righ tto re fus e th e m il itary s e rvice

Th ous ands ofpe opl e h el d atAdi Abe to arm y pris on

W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational s upporting and conne cting w ar re s is te rs al love r th e w orl d Iw antto s upportW RI:

Abrah am Ge bre ye s us M e h re te ab (th ird from l e ft) ata NGO m e e ting in Ge ne va.

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fol l ow ing a dis turbance atth e pris on. O n 4 Nove m be r Eritre an s e curity force s in th e capital , As m ara, indis crim inate l y arre s te d th ous ands ofyouth s and oth e rs s us pe cte d ofe vading m il itary cons cription. Th e arre s ts took pl ace in th e s tre e ts , s h ops and office s , at roadbl ock 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 touts ide As m ara.

Conditions in th is m il itary h ol ding ce ntre are h ars h , w ith s e ve re ove rcrow ding, l ittl e food or s anitation. M any de taine e s h ave re porte dl y be e n force d to s l e e p outs ide in th e ve ry col d w e ath e r w ith out bl ank 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 il ie s or to l aw ye rs .

Tow ards m idnigh ton 4 Nove m be r, a pris on w al lw as appare ntl y pus h e d ove r by s om e pris one rs , pos s ibl y in an e s cape atte m pt. Sol die rs ope ne d fire and s h otde ad a num be r ofth e pris one rs , w ounding m any m ore . O n 8 Nove m be r, th e M inis te r ofInform ation s aid th at tw o pris one rs h ad be e n k il l e d.

O th e r s ource s cl aim atl e as ta doz e n pe opl e w e re k il l e d, and th at bodie s w e re burie d w ith outbe ing re turne d to th e ir fam il ie s . Th os e w ounde d w e re tak e n to h os pital and h e l d incom m unicado unde r m il itary guard.

Am ne s ty Inte rnational , 9 Nove m be r 2004, AFR 64/008/2004

3.

on re as ons ofcons cie nce , incl uding profound convictions , aris ing from re l igious , e th ical , h um anitarian or s im il ar m otive s ; introduce s an al te rnative s e rvice com patibl e 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 M e h re te ab Abrah am Ge bre ye s us M e h re te ab is an activis tw ith th e Eritre an AntiM il itaris 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

Re l ative s ofCO s arre s te d

Am ne s ty Inte rnationalre porte d on 28 Jul y 2005 aboutth e arre s tof s e ve ralh undre d re l ative s of pe opl e w h o h ave e vade d or de s e rte d from th e m il itary. Th e arre s ts took pl ace in th e De bug re gion of s outh e rn Eritre a s ince 15 Jul y.

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 l ative s ofm e n or w om e n ove r th e age of18 w h o h ave e ith e r fail e d to re portfor nationals e rvice s ince 19 9 4, fail e d to atte nd th e com pul s ory finals ch oolye ar at Saw a m il itary training cam p, abandone d th e ir arm y unit, or l e ftth e country il l e gal l y. Th e re l ative s h ave be e n accus e d offacil itating th e ir e vas ion ofcons cription or fl igh t abroad. O fficial s re porte dl y offe re d th e m re l e as e on bailofbe tw e e n 10,000 and 50,000 nak fa (US$660 to US$3,300), ifth e y guarante e d th atth e y w oul d produce th e ir m is s ing re l ative ."

Th os e arre s te d are h e l d incom m unicado in diffe re ntpris ons .

"M any h e l d in Adi K e ih tow n pris on re porte dl y be gan a h unge r s trik e in prote s tatth e ir de te ntion and h ave be e n m ove d to M ai Se rw a m il itary cam p ne ar th e capitalAs m ara", Am ne s ty re porte d.

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