Editorial This issue of the Broken Rifle 15th May International CO Day: focuses on conscientious objec- tion in and International CO Day. Since the 1980's International CO Day, celebrated on 15th May every year, has Focus on Greece been an important day of action highlighting CO struggle. This year we are turning our attention to CO's in Greece and will be An Interview with a Greek holding an International Nonviolence Training in Lazaros Petromelidis is a Greek must go to the army. My letter (see box below). CO who has been persecuted for was something strange for them. Greece was the last EU country his beliefs since 1992. He spoke Although they knew about CO's to recognise the right to consci- with Kat Barton about his long because of others, they didn't entious objection when it finally struggle for recognition of his right want to accept it. They asked me did so in 1997. However, despite to refuse. why I didn't want to go. They told this recognition there are numer- me that it wasn't something bad, ous problems with Greek CO KB :When did you first realise that I was an educated young law and practice which amount that your conscience would not man and that I mustn't destroy my to discrimination against consci- allow you to participate in the life! entious objectors. In this issue military? KB :What support was available we will look at the history of CO LP :In 1991, when I finished uni- when you first declared your in Greece (page 3), the reality of versity and it was my time to go to CO status? life for Greek CO's (see the the army - although I had heard LP :I had support from the interview opposite) as well as about the first CO's in 1987/88 so Association of Greek CO's so I the social implications of con- it was not something new for me. was able to discuss things with scription and CO (page 2). KB :Why are you a conscien- people who had the same prob- We have chosen Greece tious objector? lem as me. because of the especially difficult LP :I could never imagine myself KB :What do your friends and situation of Greek CO's but also in the army. I want to have the family think about you being a in order to support the relatively right to chose to serve in another CO? Greek CO Lazaros Petromelidis in court new but flourishing CO and anti- way. No one questions why we LP :My friends accepted it as my Photo: Association of Greek COs militarism movement there. In must serve in the army, but why decision. My family was very punish CO's. Then, in 1999, I had CO status addition, this year has seen do we have an army of more than afraid because it was something In those days, many of us had to but was imprisoned for refusing to increased international interest in 100,000 people - it's too many - very new for them. They were be arrested and imprisoned perform a civilian service of 30 Greece, for example in March and why do we give so much afraid of conflict with the army. I before we could claim CO status months. If I had gone to the mili- the UN Human Rights money to the army? don't want to discuss it with them and the right to do civilian service. tary I would have performed 4 Committee examined human KB :What did you do when you because it is difficult for them. My It was just revenge against us months - I cannot compare 4 rights abuses in the country. WRI were first called up for service? father told me: "It's very serious - older objectors. months to 30 months! was present on this occasion to LP :I wrote a letter stating that I what you're doing - think about Personally, there was a difference The third time I was imprisoned address the Committee on Greek didn't want to go but was willing to the military court." between me and other objectors was in 2001. Here in Greece they CO issues and the changes that do an alternative service instead. KB :How have your beliefs and because I decided to live at a call you up for need to be made if Greece is to KB :How were you treated by the Greek authorities' reaction known address - my home - every 3 months, so you are called comply with internationally recog- the military & the Greek authori- to them affected you? whereas the other COs left their up, refuse, are imprisoned and nised standards (see page 4 for ties on declaring your CO sta- LP :Between 1992 and 1996 there homes to avoid being arrested. then called up again 3 months a report on the visit). tus? wasn't a problem - nobody both- KB :How many times have you later. I can't be punished every 3 LP :The authorities answered my ered me for these 4 years. But been imprisoned, and why? months because I don't want go to WRI are committed to raising letter within 2 hours of receiving it! everyone knew that in 1997 the LP :Three times. The first time the army! awareness of antimilitarist and They said that there was no alter- new law would be brought in and was in 1998 for draft evasion. Really I should be in prison right CO issues. I hope you will enjoy native service in Greece and so I then the military would want to now - in December 2004 I was this edition of the Broken Rifle sentenced in my absence to 2 ½ and that you will continue to 15th May: International Conscientious Objectors Day years in prison - maybe the time support the work of WRI by will come when they decide to donating generously. What? Since the 1980's, International CO Day has been celebrated as a day of nonviolent direct action in support of CO struggle. Each year, there is a focus on the struggle in a particular arrest me. I'm in their hands - I Kat Barton WRI Staff Member country which is accompanied by decentral activities all over the world.This year's activi cannot do anything. ties will focus on Greece with a Training in Nonviolent Action and discussions on issues in KB :How have attitudes to con- Greece taking place between 9th and 14th May scription & CO changed in Greece since you first declared The Broken Rifle When? Sunday 15th May (with training running up to it: 9th-14th) your CO? The Broken Rifle is the news-let- LP :In the late 80's and early 90's, Where? Thessaloniki, Greece ter of War Resisters’ International, the army was considered a nor- and is published in English, Why Greece?Although Greece passed a law on conscientious objection in 1997, this law does not meet mal thing for Greek boys - it was Spanish, French and German. international standards, and creates numerous problems for conscientious objectors which accepted. No body asked "why do This is issue 66, May 2005. result in discrimination.The law on conscientious objection and the case of Georgios I have to go?" I think now many This issue of The Broken Rifle Monastiriotis, who refused to participate in Greek military support operations for the occu boys don't want to go so they just pation of Iraq, have both lead to increased interest in conscientious objection and growth was produced by Kat Barton. don't do it or they go to a foreign of the Greek CO movement. Combined with last month's review of Greece by the UN Special thanks go to Yannis country. But they don't say it pub- Human Rights Committee, this provides a good climate for increased international activties Christovergis and the licly - they are afraid. It's easy to on conscientious objection in Greece. Association of Greek go to the public hospital and say Conscientious Objectors. Objectives Strengthening the Association of Greek COs through international support. you're crazy or melancholic and If you want extra copies of this Raising international awareness about the treatment of COs in Greece.· get a paper saying you're not fit to Linking the issue of CO in Greece with nonviolent resistance and nonviolent direct action issue of The Broken Rifle, serve. It happens often in Greece as a tool for social change movements. please contact the WRI office, or - maybe 3-4000 people per year Exchange of experience in NV direct action among groups from Greece and abroad. download it from our website. Strengthening international networks of COs through joint training and action. use this method. Since I first became a CO there have been War Resisters’ International, The international training in nonviolent action will bring together participants from Europe changes. The main problem is the Training 5 Caledonian Road, and Greece, who will use the training to share practical tools for nonviolent action. It will be duration of the civilian service. & Action: London N1 9DX, Britain accompanied by two afternoons of discussons around issues of nationalism, war, and the Now, we have a new law so civil- deconstruction of societies as a result which will build on the experience from the Balkans tel +44-20-7278 4040 ian service is 2 times military serv- and the Middle East. It will also look at the role of militarism in Greek society, and at neo- fax +44-20-7278 0444 ice minus one month. colonialism and the role NATO is playing. The training will also prepare for a joint nonvio- [email protected] lent action on 15 May. If you are interested in taking part in 15th May activities, please con- http://wri-irg.org/pubs/br66- tact the WRI as soon as possible. continued on page 2 en.htm 2 Conscientious Objection in Greece & International CO Day The Broken Rifle No 66, May 2005

Continued from page 1: I believe it's better to have that law, rather than no law. I think that The REAL Meaning of year by year it will get better. Now we're not too many: no more than 100 ideological COs and about Conscription in Greece has Turks?' often with explicit mention wide-reaching implications for of the danger of rape. All this has 1000 religious COs - mostly Greek society. These include a socially corrosive effect: feminin- Jehovah's Witnesses - but they financial conseas well as impor- ity is positioned as a family pos- don't fight very publicly - they're tant effects on the socialisation of session requiring violent defence not so active as we are. If there men and in the propagation of by socially obedient men. were more objectors, it would be gender, sexual, racial and interna- In the Greek popular imagination, better. tional stereotypes. Conscientious soldiering is construed as prevent- KB :In an ideal situation, what objection has an important role in ing boys from becoming effemi- provisions would the Greek challenging many of these struc- nate, thus protecting them from authorities make for CO's? tures. Whilst this subject is large, homosexuality. In reality much LP :We need to have the same here we will attempt to give an homosexual sentiment is aroused duration for the alternative service overview of some of them. amongst conscripts. Sometimes it as for the military service. is displayed, e.g. by enactments of anal sex between clothed con- KB :What advise would you The economic role of con- scription scripts. However, it is simultane- give to Greek men thinking The Greek army is not a 'conscript ously heavily denied: conscripts about applying for CO status? army' since the officers are profes- homophobically accuse each other LP :Not to be afraid. sionals - the conscripts are used of 'faggotry', flaunt their 'manhood' KB :Do you ever have doubts merely as unpaid labour to sustain by frequenting lapdancing clubs about continuing your strug- the military institutions. The army and organise porn-video viewing gle? provides only the very basics for sessions within camps. They learn LP :No, no, no! survival, so that conscripts need to sing of invading Turkish villages KB :What can you say about the financial assistance from their and raping the villagers. On the Greek CO movement - as it families. When families can't afford other hand, conscription puts ism that conscripts suffer. All this stands, how it is developing this, the army often grants the Conscription and the immense strain on men's real- 'Hellenic-Christian' ideology seethes behind a persona of politi- and its future? conscript 'postponement of service world sexual relationships. are indoctrinated to see cal correctness publicly displayed LP :We are not a movement but on the basis of psychiatric disor- Partners suffer enforced, pro- der'. The conscript can then go the army in an effectively sacred by the army. longed separations from con- we have a voice. home and work, but at the enor- role. Junior school children are Conscription is supposed to help scripts whose very mentality The last 2 years we've had some mous cost of psychiatric stigmati- taught to believe that God actually 18-year-olds to 'fly the nest', to becomes alienated by the gen- increase in numbers because of sation. 'Middle class' conscripts sent St. Constantine, the first learn teamwork and responsibility. dered military socialisation. the young people that come to us. sustain an even heavier loss of Byzantine Emperor, a vision of the In reality, the army keeps con- Ensuing splits are very sad and We try to convince them that they earnings, but they are in a much Cross on the eve of a major bat- scripts dependent and utterly insti- promote further malignant gender don't need to be afraid and that better position to absorb the finan- tle, together with the inscription tutionalised. The army is where stereotypes: e.g. conscripts whose we will support them if they decide cial cost. "In this you will be victorious". The Greeks learn how to exploit others girlfriends leave them often talk of to go public. This is very important dominant 'Hellenic-Christian' ide- in order to get out of duty or dan- 'all women being unfaithful tarts'. work for us. Greek society doesn't ology still sees the Greek army as ger. Obtaining an advantageous The strain on relationshps is even “It has become post is a prime example: In discuss CO - we started the dis- Saviour of the Race. Conscription worse for conscientious objectors. is therefore portrayed as a sacred wartime, it's the poor boys that cussion at the end of the 80's and utterly obvious that Partners perceive the grossly (as well as practical) duty. Those become canon-fodder while most we will continue it. punitive 'alternative service' that it takes much more who conscientiously object are of the rich ones sit in offices. the Greek state imposes as the We change things - but we are not then stigmatised as traitors of all Conscription trains men in setting choice of the COs themselves and many. There are some more courage to declare the highest ideals. up bullying hierarchies and rituals. therefore an affront on the rela- objectors who don't want to work Conscientious The religious right, spearheaded One example is so-called tionship. They have to endure with the association - they declare Objection than to by high-ranking Orthodox priests, 'Seniority', whereby new recruits increased separation & economic their objection but work alone. We constantly promotes this ideology. are worked to exhaustion and ritu- hardship. Many of the healthiest don't expect more than 2 or 3 enter national This is very effective whenever ally humiliated by those further relationships break up. cases per year - but it's better service” Greeks feel under threat, which is into their term of service. Greek than 1 per year as we had before, often. men realise that although the writ- The social implications of so it's very good! We are few but ten rules are on the surface fair, conscientious objection the real, unwritten rules are gross- we have done a lot compared to Most of the parental financial The socialisation of men Greek COs have broken through ly abusive. They learn that they our power. assistance is spent in the vicinity through conscription the stereotype of 'cowardice'. It Conscription constructs 'men' out can't beat such a system, only join In 10 years - maybe earlier - of army camps, away from home- has become utterly obvious that it of Greek 'boys'. Let's hear a char- it. Greece may have a professional towns. Conscription thus functions takes much more courage to to the detriment of parents and to acteristic statement from an officer Abuse of 'friend' and 'foe' declare Conscientious Objection army and then we will not need a the benefit of specific provincial admonishing a new recruit who becomes worse the more con- than to enter , CO movement like the one we societies. Recent moves to reduce was 2 minutes late. The officer scripts are exposed to conflict. where numerous mechanisms have now. Instead, we may dis- conscription have therefore been shouted at the recruit in front of a Along Greece's 'threatened' north- exist to dodge danger & duty. cuss about militarism in general, strongly resisted by the parasitic woman petty officer and some ern border, would-be-immigrants Amnesty International, the the objection of professional sol- economy surrounding army bases. conscripts: "When a Russian tart captured trying to enter Greece European Parliament and many diers and the Greek Army in other In addition, conscripts are is waiting for you to fuck her, are are often grossly humiliated and other international organisations countries. But, until the end of removed from the general labour you late? If you're not late then, treated as slaves by Greek con- have called for conscientious armies, we will continue. force so that conscription artificial- how dare you be late now?" This scripts. The captives are 'only' objection to become a Right in Lazaros spoke to Kat Barton ly lowers unemployment figures. vignette summarises the Albanians, fair game for anyone Greece, gravely embarrassing the grotesque insults, racism and sex- socialised in Greek military racism. Greek Government. They are In more 'civilised' units, bullying is gradually influencing the Greek 'lite', e.g. chasing new recruits and people to regard CO as a legiti- WRI Annual Seminar ripping off parts of their clothing. It mate stance and not as treason. is therefore unsurprising that Conscientious Objection by a few research shows that conscription military men during recent wars War Resisters' International and the Myrtle Solomon Memorial Trust precipitates psychotic disorders. (Yugoslavia, Iraq) has seriously in cooperation with Conscripts suffer various mental challenged the 'sacred' role of the disorders, but the military fre- army. Greek involvement in those Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection (KSCO) quently diagnose these damaged wars is extremely unpopular, but Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights (SPR) young men as 'Maladjusted'. The CO by serving personnel remains clear implication is that the 'malad- World Without War, and WRI Korea: quite illegal. This situation forced justed' isn't man enough for mili- the media to inform the wider pub- tary life and is often medically dis- lic about CO and to provide charged. He will have to declare unprecedented publicity and sup- PEACE IN NORTH-EAST ASIA this 'medical' status to any future port for the views of established International Seminar, 26th-29th June 2005 public employment agency. COs. Conscription and the social Greece is likely to develop a fully @ Bongdo Buddhist Centre, Seoul, Korea construction of sexuality professional volunteer army within Conscription socialises men into a few years. This would eliminate gendered roles. Greeks are taught personal conscription, at least in International participants: $200 incl & accommodation that they must 'protect women'. the years until the next major war. 'Protection' has a specifically sex- However Greek COs still have a Join activists from all over the world to discuss peace in North-East Asia, in particular ual aspect: it is against Turks long struggle ahead for their rights issues of "national security", nonviolent alternatives and a peace movement strategy for (mainly) who would invade, rape to be respected, for the stigma "our women" and "make us into the future. and discrimination against them to yusufakia" (child sex-servants). stop and for Greek militarism to Thus conscientious objectors are come to an end. Register online at http://www.wri-irg.org/news/2005/regform.htm or call the office on often faced with the indignation of +44 207 278 4040 female relatives: 'Will you not join Michael Moutoussis the army to protect me from the The Broken Rifle No 66, May 2005 Conscientious Objection in Greece & International CO Day 3 The History of CO Struggle in Greece

Compulsory military service arrest warrants were pending and, was introduced in Greece by the under pressure from the Police, Constitution of 1911. A year later most CO's lived quasi-clandestine- Greece was engaged in consecu- ly. They had (and still have) no tive wars (two Balkan wars, the right to a passport and had (and First World War and the Campaign still have) to change address in in Asia Minor), which lasted a order to avoid arrest. Police offi- decade. During the final two years cers regularly visited their parents' of this decade there was a vast homes and threatened them. movement of desertions from the Between 1990 and 1997, only Greek Army, due essentially to the three ideological COs were arrest- long period of mobilization (there ed: Nicos Maziotis and Pavlos were conscripts who were called Nathanail (both anarchists) in up in 1911 and not released until 1991 and Nicos Karanicas in 1923). There aren't known cases 1995. Although the trials of Nicos of desertion for ideological rea- Maziotis and Pavlos Nathanail sons at that time. took place during a period of nationalistic paranoia and both of Jehovah’s Witnesses them had rejected any kind of civil- Over the next 60 years nobody ian service, they were only given except the Jehovah's Witnesses suspended sentences of 1 year in contested the compulsory military prison. Some months later Nicos service. The Military Courts were Maziotis was arrested again, but condemning the Jehovah's after a 50 day hunger strike he Witness conscientious objectors to was released. Nicos Karanicas extremely long penalties - it was was condemned to 5 years in common for a Jehovah's Witness prison, but this was later reduced to stay 10-15 years in a military on appeal to 1 year suspended jail. Throughout the Civil War sentence. (1946 - 1949) some of them were given the death penalty and shot Legal recognition (Ioannis Tsoukaris on February 11, On June 6, 1997 the Greek 1949 and Georgios Orfanidis on Parliament voted in Law 2510/97 March 2, 1949). The last which introduced a substitute civil- Jehovah's Witness who was con- ian service 18 months longer than demned to death was Hristos the military service. This was the Kazanis (1966), but under the Top: Demonstrators in Greece protest against the authorities’ failure to recognise the right to CO (before intro- start of a new era, with conscien- international pressure, his penalty duction of Law 2510/97 in 1998). tious objectors struggling for the was reduced to 4 years in prison. Bottom: 1995: Protestors gather outside the Greek Ministry of Defence in solidarity with conscientious objector respect of their rights and the Another Jehovah's Witness, Nikos Karanikas who was in prison at the time. Photos: Association of Greek COs reduction of the length of the sub- Vasileios Karafatsas was assas- stitute civilian service. The contin- sined on 23 June 1971, whilst he at appeal. Shortly after this, In Greece the Committee for of unarmed military service to all uing prosecutions against Lazaros was being transferred from one Thanassis Makris suffered an Solidarity With Conscientious COs (February 1988) and some Petromelidis are a consequence of prison to another. identical fate: he was condemned Objectors organised hundreds of months later, to present a proposal this struggle. to 5 years in prison, reduced to 18 meetings as well as several for a law recognising the right to The compulsory military service months at appeal. Both were demonstrations all over the coun- conscientious objection and intro- Yannis Chryssoverghis and the preponderance of the released after having served two try. In just one year more than 20 ducing an alternative civilian serv- army in Greek society were con- thirds of their respective penalties people declared themselves ideo- ice, the length of which should be The Association of Greek CO’s tested in the beginning of the logical COs. Thanks to the actions double that of military service. supports conscientious objectors 1980s. Three years earlier (in The arrests of Michalis of Michalis Marangakis and However, that proposal was never in Greece. They were officially September 1977), sustained pres- Marangakis and Thanassis Makris Thanassis Makris we overcame presented to Parliament. formed in 1991 and have been sure by the Council of Europe had and their struggle for the respect the fear of being imprisoned and instrumental in effecting changes obliged the Greek government to of the right to conscientious objec- forced the government, the politi- During the 1990s, fear of an in Greek CO law and practice. vote in a law providing for tion provoked an unprecedented cal parties and even society to intense international campaign Jehovah's Witness COs, according movement of international solidari- face the reality of conscientious made the Greek government They can be contacted at: to which they would either serve 4 ty. Both endured a series of long objection. reluctant to arrest ideological COs. Association of Greek COs years of unarmed military service hunger strikes (Michalis (Although the Jehovah's Witnesses Tsamadou 13, 10683 ; or would be condemned to 4 years Marangakis did three of 71, 50 The overwhelming international who presented themselves to tel +30 6944542228; imprisonment. The movement for and 20 days respectively whilst solidarity shown to Greek consci- Military units and refused to wear fax 2104622753; the respect of the human rights Thanassis Makris did two of 55 entious objectors forced the gov- uniform were regularly sentenced email [email protected]; and civil liberties of conscripts pre- and 33 days), which finally result- ernment to extend the possibility to 4 years in prison). However, website: www.omhroi.gr/SAS/ ceded the first debates on the right ed in the government giving up to refuse military service. Whilst and releasing them. the parties of the Left were very suspicious of conscientious objec- International solidarity Donate to War Resisters’ International! tion, the young ecological move- During this period of three years, ment, a part of the anarchist the Greek Ministries for National movement and some of the thou- Defence and for Foreign Affairs How to make a donation to WRI? Payment by credit card sands of draft evaders living were receiving hundreds of letters - by standing order which enables us to plan but let abroad initiated serious discussion from abroad every day, demanding us know (see bank details overleaf) Please debit my credit card for the amount of on the issue. Thoughout this the recognition of the right to con- - in USA by arranging for regular donations to be £/US$/EUR...... (delete currency as appropriate) decade, the "Oikologiki Efimerida" scientious objection and calling for sent through your bank’s bill payment service (Ecologist Journal) and the the release of Michalis Marangakis - by giro transfer to War Resisters’ International, Credit card Visa/Access/Mastercard/American "Arnoume" (I refuse) became the and Thanassis Makris. (Indeed, in to Bank of Ireland, Express (delete as appropriate) main contributors to the debate on the President of the Republic of IBAN IE91 BOFI 9000 9247 41 35 47 conscientious objection and anti- Greece confessed during a meet- in £ sterling to Unity Trust Bank, IBAN GB11 Card number: ______militarist culture. ing with representatives of the CPBK 0800 5150 07 32 10 Association of Conscientious - by credit card – complete details in the next col- Expiry date: ___/___ Ideological CO Objectors in February 1990 that umn or use our web facility http://wri-irg.org In December 1986, Michalis during 1988, as Minister for - by cheque, in £, US$, or Euros, payable to “WRI”. Name on card: ...... Marangakis publicly declared him- Foreign Affairs, he was receiving -(UK only) by Charity Aid voucher (CAF), made out self a conscientious objector for 600 protest letters per day!) This to Lansbury House Trust Fund (to request such Signature: ...... ideological reasons. His declara- campaign was the result of the vouchers, write to: Charities Aid Foundation, Kings tion, a real manifestation of anti- combined efforts of Amnesty Hill, West Mailing, Kent ME19 4TA, or visit Billing address (if different from overleaf) militarism, was the turning point for International, the European www.CAFonline.org) the CO movement in Greece. He Bureau for Conscientious -(USA only) by sending a tax deductable donation - ...... was arrested three months later Objection and War Resisters' make checks payable to the A.J.Muste Institute ...... and condemned to 4 years in International. prison, later reduced to 26 months BR66/05/05/en-int 4 Conscientious Objection in Greece & International CO Day The Broken Rifle No 66, May 2005 WRI merchandise You can order merchandise from War Resisters’ International by filling War Resisters’ International out this form and sending it to War Resisters’ International, 5 Cale- donian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain – together with a cheque made out to War Resisters’ International in £,€,US$. Or order online at reports to the United Nations http://wri-irg.org/shop/shop-uk.htm. All prices include postage. When the UN Human Rights influencing Greek policy on CO. Committee announced their plans Having examined the human No Description UK Europe World to examine human rights abuses rights situation in Greece, the ____ 1-9 ‘Broken Rifle’ badges per badge £1.20 €2.25 US$2.75 in Greece, WRI saw an opportuni- Committee distributed a press ____ 10-90 badges per 10 £8.80 €14.00 US$18.25 ty to get CO issues on the interna- release outlining their main con- ____ 100 plus badges per 100 £76.10€117.50US$144.00 tional agenda and significantly cerns and Greece's subsequent raise the profile of the Greek response. It was clear from this € ____ Housmans Peace £7.95 12.00 US$12.00 struggle against militarism. document that CO issues feature Diary 2005 and WRI produced a comprehen- quite highly in the minds of some Housmans World sive report on conscientious objec- of the Committee members, who Peace Directory tion to military service in Greece criticised the Greek government ISSN 0957-0126, ISBN 0 85283 260 5 detailing numerous human rights saying that "the right of conscien- shortfalls. The report describes the WRI’s Kat Barton presenting at tious objectors had not been com- legal situation in Greece vis-à-vis the UN Photo: John Miller plied with nor had it conformed to ____ CONCODOC report: Refusing To £55.30 €87.00US$115.25 conscription and CO before outlin- the norms of article 18 of the Bear Arms (1998) A World Survey ing the problems and discriminatory international law. With the use of Covenant (ICCPR)". We hope that of conscription and conscientious practices that the current law caus- case studies, the report is able to given this, Greece will now move objection to military service. es. It focuses on violations of inter- illustrate the harsh treatment of forward and identify specific nationally recognised standards, in CO's by the Greek authorities thus changes it intents to implement € ____ Emily Miles: CO Guide to the UN £11.40 19.00 US$25.50 particular UN resolutions and uses adding a human dimension to a with regards to CO. Indeed, Human Rights System (WRI and article 18 of the International complex topic. already on 1st April, the Military Quaker UN Office Geneva, 2000) Covenant on Civil and Political The report was presented to Court in Athens ruled that rights (ICCPR) as its benchmark. the UN Human Rights Committee Jehovah's Witness and former ____ Resistance and Reconstruction £3.50 €7.25 US$11.50 Some of the main concerns on the opening day of their 83rd Russian army conscript Sergey (Institute for Total Revolution, session at the UN office in New Vedcchhi 1988) raised by the report include the Gutarov would be allowed to apply punitive length of the substitute York. WRI staff member Kat Barton for the substitute civilian service addressed the Committee: speak- ____ Devi Prasad & Tony Smythe: £3.30 €7.00 US$11.00 service, the exclusion of profes- despite having previously served in ing about the problems facing Conscription: A World Survey sional soldiers from applying for the armed forces. (WRI, London 1968) CO status and the loss of civil and Greek CO's and urging the Kat Barton personal rights suffered by CO's in Committee to consider the issues ____ Brian Martin et al: £5.95 €10.50 US$14.00 Greece. Importantly, the report when looking at human rights stan- "Conscientious Objection To Military Nonviolent Struggle highlights the fact that it is stan- dards in Greece. This consultation Service in Greece: Human Rights and Social Defence dard procedure in Greece for CO's with NGO's is an important and Shortfalls" is available online at (WRI, London 1991) to be repeatedly tried and impris- necessary part of the work of the www.wri-irg.org/ Committee, and certainly a worth- news/2005/greece05a-en.htm oned for the same offence of draft or can be requested from the office. evasion - a practice which violates while exercise for WRI in terms of ____ Mitzi Bales, ed: £3.85 €7.00 US$9.25 Opening Doors to Peace: A Memorial to Myrtle Solomon Greece-Cyprus Relations (WRI, London 1991) Cyprus, a tiny divided island in military invasion, Cyprus has understanding and good will. The the eastern Mediterranean is a remained divided by the Green NO vote reflected to a large extent ____ Peter Brock: Testimonies of Con- £3.85 €7.00 US$8.75 military minefield. Even after line. From the buffer zone, a kind the feeling of insecurity, uncertain- science (privately printed, Toronto accession to the EU, no country in of no man's land in the middle, ly and fear within the Greek 1997) the world - with the exception of one can see both sets of young Cypriot population. These fears ____ Donation £ ____ € ____ US$ ____ Korea - has seen its territory soldiers with their respective need to be properly addressed if amassed with such a deadly array "national" symbols. They look we are to have better chance next Total £ ____ € ____ US$ ____ of weaponry with possible cata- exactly the same: their features time. strophic consequences for the are the same; their youth, their In the meantime imagination, Name: ______inhabitants. 40000 occupying boredom, their guns and those action and initiative need to build Turkish forces and another few awful green uniforms are all the trust and cooperation between the Address: ______thousand Turkish-Cypriot soldiers same. two divided communities. A vital face a few thousand Greek- Last year, on the 24th April, fol- measure would be to demand an ______Cypriots conscripts and Greek sol- lowing a long period of negotia- immediate reduction of all troops diers, with British troops and tions, the UN proposed a compre- leading to the full demilitarisation Date: ______Signature: ______bases and a few thousand UN hensive plan to resolve the prob- of the island. The military industry peace keepers guarding the lem. Greek-Cypriots voted "NO" and the proponents of hate ideolo- Please send this from with your cheque to: ceasefire line. whilst the Turkish-Cypriot "YES", gy and nationalism are opposed to War Resisters’ International, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain Since 1974 with the Coup by 64%, has raised the stakes even such a move. In addition, a num- For payments by credit card, please use our webshop at wri-irg.org! the and the local higher. In the past it was ber of other initiatives for peace EOKA B fascists and the Turkish and the Turkish-Cypriots who and reconciliation must now be objected to a solution! Not all is strengthened. Such measures War Resisters’ International lost however; the path to peace must not, however, be mere tactical and reconciliation cannot be halt- manoeuvres for media and market- supporting and connecting war resisters all over the world ed for long. ing purposes; they must be serious, Pllease send your donattiion ttoday tto supportt tthe work off WRII – Thank You!! The "Cyprus problem" is cer- robust and legitimate. tainly not new. Cyprus has a This is the time for peace activism I want to support WRI: (Please tick at least one) My address: strategic position at the centre of and genuine imaginative common three continents, close to the oil action. Trade unions, women' s  I enclose a donation of £/US$/EUR...... to WRI Name: ...... producing Middle-East and with a groups, youth groups, citizens  Please send me a receipt highly valued location for various action groups and NGOs must  I have completed credit card details overleaf Address: ...... regional imperial projects. The work together at this critical  I will set up a monthly/quarterly/yearly (please "unsinkable aircraft carrier" of the moment to overcome all the "state" delete) standing order to War Resisters’ ...... near Middle East has long been a and "ethnic' boundaries. This is the International desired station-point for various best guarantee for freedom and In Britain to Unity Trust Bank, account no: Country: ...... world powers. However, there is security, over and above any legal- 5072 7388 Sort Code: 08-60-01 for £ ...... also another equally deadly istic and international guarantees, Eurozone IBAN IE91 BOFI 9000 9247 41 35 Where to send your donation to: dimension: nationalism and irre- which are also of course welcome. 47, Bank of Ireland, for Euros ...... dentism - the two main communi- A new impetus to peace and  Please send me a standing order form USA only: ties instead of looking towards reconciliation activism is sought  I enclose a CAF voucher for £...... WRI Fund, c/o Ralph di Gia, WRL, 339 Lafayette each other, look towards their and all energies must be devoted  I enclose a check to A.J. Muste Institute for Street, New York, NY10012 respective "mother countries". to building the trust we've lost over US$...... It is time to move on towards a the years. Peace keeping in Cyprus Britain and everywhere else: new peace activism. Greek- can only be successful if it leads to Please visit our webshop at http://wri-irg.org for War WRI, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots the complete demilitarisation of the Resisters’ International publications, Broken Rifle WRI keeps supporters names and addresses on computer, must show courage by attempting island. badges, and other WRI merchandise. Thank You! for our sole use. If you do not consent to this, please let us to work towards a second referen- know dum and build the bridges of trust, Nicos Trimikliniotis