Armenia jails conscientious objectors, denies religious-freedom violation

December 11, 2008

The government of Armenia denies that it is violating religious freedom by jailing conscientious objectors, although all 80 men current imprisoned under the policy are Jehovah's Witnesses. Armenia is ignoring a ruling by the human-rights commissioner for the Council of Europe, who said that the country "does not provide for a genuine civilian service" for those who object to military service on religious grounds.

 

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Further information:

• Armenia: Imprisonment of some 80 conscientious objectors 'not a human-rights issue'