And yes, we welcome ideas and feedback. This is Chalotte Ryberg's reply to the general topic of...
Category: Human Rights | Strength: Mild | Proposed by: Charlotte Ryberg
OBSERVING that certain member states mandate compulsory military service to: defend their state from enemy attack, or teach basic and vital skills to the population in peacetime.
NOTING that civilians may object to compulsory military service because of reasons deriving from principles and reasons of conscience, including profound convictions, arising from religious, moral, ethical, humanitarian or similar motives;
ADMITTING that not all conscientious objectors object to all forms of compulsory service, just as long as the alternative service are of a non-military and civilian nature.
APPLAUDING member states that accept claims of conscientious objection to be valid without questioning;
NEVERTHELESS seeking to promote the right to conscientious objection in all member states, anyway;
Hereby:
DEFINES, for this resolution,
• A “Conscientious objector” as a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces or bear arms on moral or religious grounds;
• "Combative military duties", as a role which involves the bearing of arms, or the operation of military vessels or weapons, in order to cause harm to other people, mainly of the opposing nation;
1. DECLARES that all persons eligible for compulsory military service shall be offered the right to declare conscientious objection;
2. REQUIRES member states to inform persons eligible for compulsory military service of the right to conscientious objection and the procedures for obtaining such status, before they begin their service;
3. REQUIRES member states to either:
a) Accept claims of conscientious objection at face value, or alternatively;
b) Establish fair and impartial board(s) of enquiry to assess such claims;
4. MANDATES that member states will not force conscientious objectors to serve in combative military duties;
5. PROVIDES for Member states to mandate conscientious objectors to perform alternative service which is: congruent with the beliefs of the objector, of a non-combative, non-military and non-punitive nature. Alternatively, member states may accept the claim and allow for the conscientious objector to unconditionally resume civilian lives;
6. MANDATES that member states will not subject conscientious objectors to any form of punishment or imprisonment, for failure to perform, or choosing alternative service over, combative military service.
Submitted for a good grilling,