In different parts of the world this week, courts were examining the question of conscientious objector exemptions from military service. In Case of Bayatyan v. Armenia, (ECHR, Oct. 27, 2009), the European Court of Human Rights held that the European Convention on Human Rights does not require Armenia to provide an exemption from military service for a Jehovah's Witness who is a conscientious objector. The freedom of thought, conscience and religion protections of Art. 9 of the Convention need to be read in light of the provision in Art. 4, Sec. 3(b) which appears to leave the choice of providing CO objections up to the decision of each country. (Court's press release on case.) Subsequently Armenia adopted an alternative service law.
Meanwhile, according to Ekklesia, last week Colombia's Supreme Court held that all citizens have the right to opt out of military service on religious, moral or philosophical grounds. Previously only men studying to be Catholic priests were entitled to an exemption on religious grounds.
