Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Northern Cyprus: Imprisonment of conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu

A blatant human rights violation

(15.01.2019) “Turkish-Cypriot conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for his peaceful convictions and his genuine opposition to the compulsory military service. EBCO denounces his imprisonment as a blatant human rights violation. EBCO demands his immediate and unconditional release, and the urgent recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service in line with the European and international law and human rights standards”, EBCO’s President Friedhelm Schneider stated today, following Halil’s arrest and transfer to prison in order to serve a 20-day sentence.

Northern Cyprus: Halil Karapaşaoğlu‘s jailing condemned

(15.01.2019) GUE/NGL deplores Halil Karapaşaoğlu's imprisonment and hereby declares our support and solidarity with him as well as all other conscientious objectors who oppose militarisation, and all those who strive to enforce non-violent means of thinking.

Military (Amendment) Draft Law

On the Right to Conscientious Objection

(09.01.2019) An amendment of the military law have been submitted to the Parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This is intended to regulate conscientious objection.

The law provides for conscientious objectors living in the north of Cyprus to fulfill the conscription through conducting civilian service within the armed forces without being subject to military training or through conducting a substitute service in a public institution to which they will be assigned
by the military forces.

Regulations on the duration of the service are not included in the bill. As far as can be seen from the bill, this is left to the implementing regulations of the Prime Minister.

Northern Cyprus: Assembly to Debate Draft Bill on Conscription

(08.01.2019) Following the case of conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu, who has been fined for refusing to present himself for military service, a draft bill concerning amendments to military law is being presented to the TRNC Assembly for debate. The new law provides for two options for Turkish Cypriots who do not want to serve in the armed forces: to provide a civil service in the army according to their capabilities, professional skills and educational background, or to be employed by the armed forces in public institutions for the public interest.