Amnesty expresses concern over military service in Greece
Amnesty International has condemned Greece over a “wave of prosecutions of conscientious objectors.”
The watchdog said on its website Monday that the prosecution and punishment of Greeks for refusing to perform military service on conscientious grounds “violates their right to freedom of conscience.”
The organization also expressed concern over “the punitive nature” of the alternative civilian service in Greece, which at 15 months is much longer than the nine months’ military service in the army, where the majority of conscripts serve.
Amnesty said it has been informed of at least five Greeks who having been arrested and punished for their conscientious objection this year.
