Recent CO Action alerts

On Easter Sunday Marino ended his hunger strike after six weeks. He is healthwise in a reasonable state, morally though, very disappointed because the heads of state refused to answer his simple question: " Why he and other men have to serve prison sentences althouh they are willing to do civilian service?" He had personally written to three ministers, who didn't even bother to answer directly, but let their secretaries compile an answer. In stating that they "could not publicly comment on Marino's situation for fear of interfering with other's ( e.g.

War Resisters' International was informed today that already on 29 March Young-chul Yoon, a 22-year-old Seventh-day Adventist, was sentenced to three years in prison by a South Korean Military court for refusing to bear arms in his military service training. Young-chul Yoon was called up for mandatory military instruction two years into his theology training at Sahmyook University, an Adventist school in Seoul.

Greek conscientious objector Lazaros Petromelides will again stand trial on 16 April 2002. Lazaros Petromelides is married and the father of one son. He has studied economics and since 6 years he works in the support of socially excluded groups, such as travellers and refugees. He is a member of the Hellenic Association of Conscientious Objectors (HACO) since 1991. He was called to serve in the Greek Navy in 1992 and, following the practice then recommended by the Association, he sent a letter detailing the reasons that forbade him from serving the Armed Forces.

The number of conscientious objectors imprisoned in Israel increases on an almost daily base. Yesterday, six more refuseniks were jailed, two of whom were just released yesterday.

First Sgt. (res.) Ezra Perce (ISR12009), 29, a student, was sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 4.

First Sgt. (res.) Amichai Katz (ISR12010), 27, a student and pub owner from Jerusalem, was sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 4.

Lt. (res.) Yoav Caspi (ISR12011) was sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 6.

Over the weekend, eight more refuseniks were jailed in Israel, bringing the total to more than 30, far more than ever was the case before, even at the height of the Lebanon war or during the first intifada. Yesh Gvul, an Israeli organisation supporting refuseniks, reports that the army is now taking a much tougher line, something that was to be expected, especially after the call-up of 30,000 reservists. Last week, more than seven refuseniks were jailed (http://wri-irg.org/news/htdocs/03042002a.html).

Conscientious objector Yair Khilou reported to the Bakum today, on summons by the unsuitability committee, and although it is unclear whether or not he actually saw the committee, he has been sentenced to his third 28-day incarceration period. Yair Khilou was among the initiators and formulators of the open letter of high school students to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the beginning of September last year, signed by 62 Israeli youths who announced their refusal to cooperate with the Israeli occupation in Palestine. This is the third time Yair Khilou is imprisoned for his beliefs.

Yesterday German total objector Malik Sharif was again sentenced to 21 days of arrest, bringing the total up to 77 days of arrest. Malik Sharif was supposed to begin his military service on 1 November 2001, and presented himself at the military barracks on 3 November, and refused to obey any orders since. He was immediately taken into arrest - so far a total of three arrests totalling 56 days.

During the last couple of days, four new conscientious objectors have been imprisoned for their refusal to serve in the Israeli army altogether or specifically in the Occupied Territories. According to the information War Resisters' International received from New Profile and other organisations in Israel, the number of conscientious objectors imprisoned in Israel reaches a peak of 10 now.

On 20 February 2002, conscientious objector Marino Keckeis began a hunger strike, demanding civilian service instead of prison. Marino Keckeis declared his conscientious objection in March 1996, and applied for civilian service on February 1997. However, his application was turned down, and he was called up for military service in February 1999. He didn't follow his call-up, and was subsequently sentenced to five months imprisonment on 18 December 2001. On 15 January 2002, Marino Keckeis started his prison sentence in Luzern.

Swiss conscientious objector Marino Keckeis is now in the sixth week of his hunger strike. Marino Keckeis began his hunger strike on 20 February, demanding civilian service instead of prison. Marino Keckeis declared his conscientious objection in March 1996, and applied for civilian service on February 1997. However, his application was turned down, and he was called up for military service in February 1999. He didn't follow his call-up, and was subsequently sentenced to five months imprisonment on 18 December 2001. On 15 January 2002, Marino Keckeis started his prison sentence in Luzern.

Last week, the Druse objector Rennan Amin Salameh was finally sentenced to four months in prison for his refusal to serve in the Israeli army. He was imprisoned in early January, and was charged with desertion. He is scheduled to be released on 2 April 2002. It is not yet clear whether Rennan Amin Salameh might be imprisoned again at the end of his prison term.

During last week, four new conscientious objectors were imprisoned in Israel, all of whom are reservists.

Ishai Mor (ISR11947), 34, was sentenced on 20 March to 28 days in prison for refusing to serve in the Gaza Strip. Mor, who serves with the 35th (Paratroops) Brigade, is a programme engineer from Zichon Yaakov, married with two children.

Already early in March, conscientious objector Amnon Sagiv, 29, was imprisoned and sentenced to 28 days for refusing to serve in Nablus. Sagiv, married, a programme engineer, serves with an artillery unit. He is the fourth among the signatories of the "Letter of the Officers" to be imprisoned since the letter was published. He is serving his sentence in Military Prison no. 4.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Amnon Sagiv.

Amnon Sagiv
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 03734
IDF
Israel

Yesterday, conscientious objector N.N. (name removed) was transferred from military prison no 4 to military prison no 6. He is scheduled to be released on 22 March 2002. N.N. was imprisoned on 26 February 2002 for the second time, and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment, after spending 21 days in prison from 3-21 February 2002.

Please continue writing letters to N.N..

N.N.
Military ID xxxxxxx
Military Prison No 6
Military Postal Number 03734
IDF
Israel

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International

War Resisters' International learned of seven more refuseniks who were jailed recently. The total number of conscientious objectors in prison is now 21, an unprecedented number. With 20,000 reservists being called up, it can be expected that even more conscientious objectors will be imprisoned soon. They all need our support.

Eran Ackerman (ISR11984) was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment. He is imprisoned in Military Prison No 4.

Guy Keshet (ISR11985) was also sentenced to 28 days imprisonment, and he is also imprisoned in Military Prison No. 4.

War Resisters' International learned today that the Israeli conscientious objector N.N. (name removed) was again sentenced - this time to 28 days imprisonment - on Tuesday, 26 February. N.N. was among the signatories of the open letter sent to Prime Minister Sharon at the beginning of September last year, signed by 62 Israeli youths who announced their refusal to cooperate with the Israeli occupation in Palestine. N.N. spent 21 days in prison from 3-21 February 2002.