Turkmenistan Court Imposes 2 Years Suspended On Conscientious Objector

Forum 18 reported Monday that in Turkmenistan, a two-year suspended sentence has been imposed on a conscientious objector who refused compulsory military service. Zafar Abdullaev, a Jehovah's Witness, was charged with violating Article 219, Part 1 of the Criminal Code. The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief has called on Turkmenistan to create an alternative civilian service option for conscientious objectors. Shirin Akhmedova, Director Turkmenistan's National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, however, says that conscientious objectors can already serve in medical or construction units within the army. Some however, do not find this option religiously acceptable.