YU10813-12368-190802
19 August 2002

YUGOSLAVIA: Two conscientious objectors called up to perform military service

Two conscientious objectors were rejected in Yugoslavia. Both have to report to the military on 3 September, to begin their military service.
Igor Seke (YU10813) and Goran Miladinovic (YU12368) both applied for conscientious objection, and both are willing to perform alternative civilian service.
Article 137 of the Yugoslav Constitution (which is presently redrafted) recognises the right to conscientious objection: "Compulsory military service shall be universal and performed in the manner established by federal statute. A citizen who is a conscientious objector for religious or other reasons and does not wish to fulfill his military obligation under arms shall be permitted to serve in the Army of Yugoslavia without bearing arms or in civilian service, in accordance with federal law."
The Yugoslav Army Law states in Article 297: "Civilian service is performed in military-economic, health-care, general rescuing organisations, organisations for rehabilitation of disabled persons, and any other organisations and institutions of common interest.”
Although the right to conscientious objection is legally recognised in Yugoslavia, both conscientious objectors were denied this right. Igor Seke's application was completely rejected, and Goran Miladinovic's was called up to perform military service in an unarmed unit of the Yugoslav army.

War Resisters' International calls for letters to the Yugoslav Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging the Ministry to intervene in order that their call up is postponed until a genuine civilian service is available.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kneza Milosa St, 24-26
11000 Beograd
Fax: +381-11-361 8366

War Resisters' International also calls for emails to the General Staff of the Yugoslav Army, urging them to accept Igor Seke's and Goran Miladinovic's conscientious objection, and to cancel their call-up:
Chief of General Staff
email:  genstaffinfo@vj.yu

War Resisters' International calls for letters of solidarity to Igor Seke and Goran Miladinovic:
c/o Women in Black
Yug Bogdanova 18/5
11000 Beograd
Srbija / YU
+381-11-623 225
email:  stasazen@EUnet.yu

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International