UN report: 9 out of 10 conscientious objectors are South Korean

Posted on : 2013-07-16 15:59 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Government continues to ignore UN recommendation on developing alternatives to armed service
 2008
2008

By Um Ji-won, staff reporter

Nine of every ten people behind bars around the world for conscientious objection to military service on religious or philosophical grounds are South Korean, a UN study has found.

According to an analytical report on conscientious objection by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a total of 723 people are in prison around the world for conscientious objection, of whom 669, or 92.5%, are South Koreans.

Next in line is Armenia with 31 conscientious objectors; Eritrea with 15; and Turkmenistan with eight.

The UNHRC published an analytical report on conscientious objector human rights on June 3, its first since 2006.

“This report shows that there have been significant legal developments in recognition of conscientious objection to military service at the international and regional levels since the last analytical report of OHCHR in 2006 and its updating report in 2008,” the report said.

“Problems remain, however, as some states continue not to recognize conscientious objection to military service, or do not recognize it for those serving voluntarily. Reports of repeated trial or punishment, as well as of ill treatment of unrecognized conscientious objectors, are sources of concern,” it continued.

In particular, it referenced claims from the Jehovah‘s Witnesses religious sect, which refuses to take up arms.

“There are currently 50 complaints pending before the UN Human Rights Committee from Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the report noted. “The Jehovah’s Witnesses alleges [sic] . . . that since 1950 . . . . 17,208 Witnesses have been sentenced to a combined total of 32,566 years in prison.”

The UNHRC also noted a trend of conscription being suspended or abolished around the world. In particular, it referenced the case of Germany, where conscription was ended in 2011.

“[I]t was recognized that the alternative service programme had significant benefits to German society, and that in 50 years, 2,718,360 young men had engaged in useful service to 37,000 social and charitable organizations,” the report said.

Oh Doo-jin, a lawyer who is acting as a legal representative for conscientious objectors, said the South Korean courts and government “continue to ignore the recommendations of the international community.”

“In light of South Korea’s international standing, they need to end this practice of making judgments on human rights issues solely in terms of the domestic legal system,” he said.

 

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