TNAG-0559-FCO40-654-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 194

l

113

There is no provision in Greek law for conscientious objection to military service

ut Al knows of no imprisoned conscientious objectors other than Jehovah's Witnesses, who refuse to be conscripted and who are, therefore, sentenced to suc- cessive terms of imprisonment until they are beyond military age. Although AI has worked in the past for these prisoners, the Research Department discontinued work on their behalf at the request of the Jehovah's Witnesses themselves, for the period of the military regime.

The most recent sentences were passed after the men concerned refused to bear arms during the general mobilization at the time of the crisis over Cyprus. They received extremely heavy sentences of between 8 and 20 years, but recent information is that these sentences are being substantially reduced on appeal. In a letter to the Greek Prime Minister on 17 September 1974, the Secretary General asked him to "...give your earliest attention to ensuring that provision is made in Greek law for conscientious objection..."

AI

groups are working for the release of 96 Jehovah's Witnesses in Greece.

Hungary

Amnesty International groups are at present working on five cases, of which two are re-adoptions: Dr Odon Lénárd and Dr Jozsef Szigeti. Both are Roman Catholic priests who had served long sentences for their perseverance in providing religious instruction to young people, and who were recently arrested again.

On 4 April 1975, an amnesty was proclaimed which also covers defectors in the West willing to return before the end of next year, but excludes political offenders.

Italy

Despite continuing difficulties in obtaining detailed information on political imprisonment in Italy, the number of adoptions increased to six during the year. All are conscientious objectors. Michele Camassa and Sergio Gulmini, both now adopted by Amnesty International, have each been sentenced to more than 3 and 2 years' imprisonment respectively after two successive trials. It is not uncommon for sentences passed by an Italian military court to be augmented in a second trial.

Netherlands

A new law on conscientious objection passed in April 1975 now recognizes the right of all Dutch citizens to be exempted from military service for reasons of their conscience, and particularly in connection with Dutch membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As a result, the conscientious objector Kees Vellekoop, who was sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment in April 1974, was released in April 1975. He was Amnesty International's only adopted prisoner in the Netherlands.

Poland

Amnesty International has taken up three more investigation cases during the past year of ex-Polish citizens who were charged with espionage when they made family visits to Poland as foreign tourists.