Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05YEREVAN2215
2005-12-23 02:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

ARMENIA TO CRIMINALIZE EVASION OF ALTERNATIVE

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KCRM AM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

230240Z Dec 05
UNCLAS YEREVAN 002215 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCRM AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA TO CRIMINALIZE EVASION OF ALTERNATIVE
SERVICE

REF: YEREVAN 1958

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002215

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCRM AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA TO CRIMINALIZE EVASION OF ALTERNATIVE
SERVICE

REF: YEREVAN 1958


1. (U) During an extraordinary session on December 16,
the Armenian National Assembly unanimously adopted
amendments to the Criminal Code that, for the first
time in Armenian law, would criminalize evasion of
alternative service. President Robert Kocharian has
until January 6, 2006 to sign the amendments, which
carry sentences of three years imprisonment (increased
from two years) for convictions of evasion of both
alternative and military service. Armenian courts
currently convict conscientious objectors under
military statutes, a process Jehovah's Witnesses argue
violates the fundamental principles of international
and Armenian alternative service laws (reftel).


2. (SBU) According to Yerevan-based Andre Carbonneau, a
Canadian lawyer coordinating legal defense for the
Jehovah's Witnesses, and local attorney Lyova
Margaryan, as of December 21, 11 conscientious
objectors affiliated with the Jehovah's Witnesses are
awaiting trial and 33 are serving sentences (ranging
from one to four years) for draft evasion and service
desertion convictions.
GODFREY