1 De ce m be r – Pris one rs for Pe ace Day:
Supporting pe ace and h um an righ ts in Rus s ia
14 O ctobe r 2006, Rus s ian Em bas s y in London. A de l e gation ofth e NationalUnion ofJournal is ts atte m pts to de l ive r a pe tition and a w re ath in m e m ory ofAnna Pol itk ovs k aya Ph oto: Andre as Spe ck O n 7 O ctobe r 2006, Rus s ian journal is tAnna Pol itk ovs k aya w as m urde re d outs ide h e r fl atin M os cow . Th is w as notan is ol ate d cas e - s e ve raljournal is ts h ave be e n k il l e d in Rus s ia in re ce nt ye ars - and itw as nota coincide nce th atAnna Pol itk ovs k aya w as th e targe t. Rus s ia is th e th ird de adl ie s t country in th e w orl d for journal is ts ove r th e pas t15 ye ars , be h ind onl y th e confl ict-ridde n countrie s ofIraq and Al ge ria. A re portby th e Com m itte e to Prote ct Journal is ts (CPJ) found th at42 journal is ts h ad be e n k il l e d in Rus s ia s ince 19 9 2, m any ofth e m sl ain in contract-s tyl e e xe cutions and th e vas tm ajority uns ol ve d by Rus s ian auth oritie s . ButAnna Pol itk ovs k aya w as notonl y an oppos itionaljournal is t - w h ich w oul d h ave be e n dange rous e nough tin Rus s ia. Th e focus ofAnna Pol itk ovs k aya's w ork w as on th e w ar in Ch e ch nya, and h um an righ ts viol ations by Rus s ian force s in Ch e ch nya, or agains t Ch e ch nians l iving in Rus s ia. W ith th is focus s h e h ad to touch on tw o ce ntralpil l ars ofPutin's
pow e r in Rus s ia: th e Rus s ian m il itary and s e curity force s , and Rus s ia's w ar on te rror in Ch e ch nya.
Extre m e l y ins ignificant? Pre s ide ntPutin re s ponde d to th e m urde r ofAnna Pol itk os vk aya onl y w h e n pre s s e d to do s o by journal is ts during a vis itto Ge rm any. H e th e n s aid: "H ow e ve r, th e de gre e ofh e r infl ue nce on th e country's pol itical de ve l opm e nt... w as ins ignificant." Ifth atw oul d be true , w h y th e n w as s h e m urde re d? Anna Pol itk ovs k aya h as be e n th re ate ne d and attack e d num e rous tim e s in re tal iation for h e r w ork . In Fe bruary 2001 s e curity age nts de taine d h e r in th e Ve de no dis trictin Ch e ch nya, accus ing h e r ofe nte ring Ch e ch nya w ith outaccre ditation. Sh e w as k e ptin a pitfor th re e days w ith outfood or w ate r, w h il e a m il itary office r th re ate ne d to s h ooth e r. Se ve n m onth s l ate r, s h e re ce ive d de ath th re ats from a m il itary office r accus e d ofcrim e s agains tcivil ians . Sh e w as force d to fl e e to Vie nna afte r th e office r s e ntan e -m ailto Novaya Gaz e ta
prom is ing th ath e w oul dseek re ve nge . W h e n s h e w as k il l e d, s h e w as again w ork ing on a ne w s tory on h um an righ ts viol ations in Ch e ch nya. And obvious l y Putin w oul dl ik e th is to be "ins ignificant."
Notonl y journal is ts And its notonl y journal is ts . O nl y a fe w days afte r th e m urde r ofAnna Pol itk ovs k aya, Rus s ian auth oritie s cl os e d th e Rus s ianCh e ch e n Frie nds h ip s ocie ty in Niz h ny Novgorod - again, be caus e itw as h igh l igh ting Rus s ia's w ar on te rror in Ch e ch nya. O bvious l y, th is is jus t anoth e r atte m ptto s il e nce dis s e nt, fol l ow ing th e introduction ofa ne w l aw on NGO s and civil s ocie ty organis ations . And th e Guardian re porte d on 19 O ctobe r th ats e ve ralw e l l -k now n inte rnationalNGO s h ave to ce as e th e ir ope rations in Rus s ia be caus e th e y m is s e d th e y de adl ine for re gis tration unde r th e ne w l aw . H ow e ve r, th is w as ofte n due to bure aucratic de l ays . Until 18 O ctobe r, onl y 9 1 outofup to 500 inte rnationalNGO s h ad be e n approve d by th e Rus s ian
auth oritie s - th e re m ainde r h ad to s us pe nd th e ir activitie s . Again, s om e ofth e NGO s conce rne d are invovl e d in h um anitarian aid in th e North Caucas us - in Ingus h e tia or el s e w h e re , ofte n providing h um anitarion aid to Ch e ch e n re fuge e s .
A cl im ate ofviol e nce Th e k il l ings ofjournal is ts and th e crack dow n on NGO s and civil s ocie ty groups h appe n in th e conte xtofris ing viol e nce agains t m inoritie s and pol iticalactivis ts . In Nove m be r 2005, tw o anarch is ts w e re attack e d by fas cis ts in StPe te rs burg, l e aving one ofth e m de ad, th e oth e r one h e avil y injure d. Es pe cial l y Caucas ians l iving in Rus s ia face racis tattack s and abus e re gul arl y. And th e pre s e nte s cal ation ofth e confl ictbe tw e e n Rus s ia and Ge orgia - w ith th e de portation of h undre ds ofGe orgian citiz e ns from Rus s ia - adds e ve n furth e r to racis tth re ads in viol e nce w ith in Rus s ian s ocie ty. Cl e arl y, th ings are notgoing w e l lin Rus s ia... Andre as Spe ck
Editorial
O ctobe r w as nota good m onth for Rus s ian h um an righ ts activis ts . O n 7 O ctobe r, Anna Pol itk ovs k aya, a w e l lk now journal is tw h o re gul arl y e xpos e d Rus s ian h um an righ ts viol ations in Ch e ch nya, w as m urde re d in h e r fl atin M os cow . Six days l ate r, on 13 O ctobe r, th e Rus s ian Ch e ch e n Frie nds h ip Socie ty (RCFS) of Niz h nii Novgorod w as orde re d cl os e d by a l ocalcourt, be caus e th e re ce ntl y adopte d NGO l aw m ak e s itil l e galfor an organis ation to be h e ade d by a pe rs on convicte d of"e xtre m is tactivitie s ". Am ne s ty Inte rnationalcom m e nte d th atStanis l av Dm itrie vs k ii, Exe cutive Dire ctor of RCFS, w as convice d on "race h ate " ch arge s on 3 Fe bruary 2006 for publ is h ing non-viol e nt articl e s by Ch e ch e n s e paratis t l e ade rs , and w as - in vie w ofAI convicte d for th e pe ace fule xe rcis e ofh is righ toffre e dom of e xpre s s ion and s h oul d noth ave face d trialin th e firs tpl ace . O nl y a fe w days l ate r th e m il itary pros e cutors in Ch e l yabins k droppe d th e ir inve s tigation offour arm y official s accus e d of fail ing to s top th e h az ing ofarm y cons criptAndre i Sych yov - a cas e th atre ce ive d a l otofpubl ic atte ntion e arl ie r th is ye ar be caus e ofth e viol e nce and crue l ty invol ve d. W h il e th e pe rs on w h o be ath im w as s e nte nce d on 26 Se pte m be r to four ye ars im pris onm e nt, no furth e r action w il l now be tak e n agains tth os e in ch arge ofprote cting cons cripts . Th e s e th re e unre l ate d ne w ite m s s h e d s om e l igh ton th e s ituation in Rus s ia - a s ituation, w h ich is ge tting w ors e , w h il e W e s te rn l e ade rs and bus ine s s e s incre as ingl y m ak e de al s w ith Rus s ia. Ch e ch nya, and th e incre as ingl y racis tpol icy tow ards Caucas ian citice ns w ith in Rus s ia, is Rus s ia's "w ar on te rror", and th e s il e nce ofW e s te rn l e ade rs is th e price paid for Rus s ian coope ration in Bus h 's "w ar on te rror". For us a pe ace m ove m e nt, h ow e ve r, itis im portantto notbe s il e ntaboutCh e ch nya and Rus s ian h um an righ ts viol ations , butto s upportpe ace and h um an righ ts activis ts in Rus s ia and Ch e ch nya. Andre as Spe ck
Th e Brok e n Rifl e
Th e Brok e n Rifl e is th e ne w s l e tte r ofW ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , and is publ is h e d in Engl is h , Spanis h , Fre nch and Ge rm an. Th is is is s ue 72, Nove m be r 2006. Th is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e w as produce d by Andre as Spe ck . Spe cialth ank s go to e ve ryone w h o provide d th e inform ation us e d in th is is s ue . If you w ante xtra copie s ofth is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e, pl e as e contactth e W RI office , or dow nl oad itfrom our w e bs ite . W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , 5 Cal e donian Road, London N1 9 DX, Britain te l+ 44-20-7278 4040 fax + 44-20-7278 0444 info@ w ri-irg.org h ttp://w ri-irg.org/pubs / br72-e n.h tm
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Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 72, Nove m be r 2006
Pris one rs for Pe ace
Pris one rs for Pe ace H onour Rol l2006 H ow th e l is tw ork s Firs tare pris one rs ' nam e s (in bol d), fol l ow e d by th e ir s e nte nce , th e n th e ir pl ace ofim pris onm e ntw ith +and, final l y th e re as on for th e ir de te ntion. Inform ation aboutcountrie s w h e re pris one rs h ave h ad th e ir s e nte nce s s us pe nde d, or w h e re s e nte nce s h ave be e n s e rve d or com pl e te d during th e ye ar, are in ital ics .
Arm e nia Al th ough Arm e nia pas s e d a l aw on cons cie ntious obje ction in 2004, th e country continue s to im pris on cons cie ntious obje ctors . M any cons cie ntious obje ctors al so re fus e to s e rve s ubs titute s e rvice , as it is control l e d by th e M inis try of De fe nce . An am e ndm e nt to th e l aw on cos ncie ntious obje ction now provide s for th e pros e cution of obje ctors w h o re fus e to pe rform s ubs titute s e rvice . In M ay 2006, Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s CO s appl ie d to th e Europe an Court of H um an Righ ts , s tating a viol ation of th e ir h um an righ tto cons cie ntious obje ction.
Eritre a Paul os Eyas s u (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Ne ge de Te k l e m ariam (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Is aac M ogos (24/09 /19 9 4— ) Aron Abrah a (09 /05/2001— ) M us s ie Fe s s e h aye (June 2003— ) Am bak om Ts e ge z ab (Fe bruary 2004— ) Be m ne tFe s s e h aye (Fe bruary 2005— ) H e nok Gh e bru (Fe bruary 2005— ) + aS aw a Pris on, Eritre a
Am anue lTe s fae ndrias (M arch 2005— ) + W ia Pris on, Eritre a Al ltoge th e r nine Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s are im pris one d for cons cie ntious obje ction to m il itary s e rvice . Th re e Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s are im pris one d s ince 24 Se pte m be r 19 9 4, for re fus ing to pe rform m il itary s e rvice . Al l th re e h ave ne ve r be e n ch arge d for th e ir "crim e ". Th e m axim um pe nal ty for cons cie ntious obje ction is th re e ye ars .
Finl and Al th ough unde r pre s s ure from th e UN and oth e r inte rnational ins titutions , Finl and continue s to im pris on totalobje ctors , and re fus e s to bring its l aw on s ubs titute s e rvice in l ine w ith inte rnationals tandards . O n 16 O ctobe r, 19 totalobje ctors w e re in pris on, but onl y four w h o w il ls til lbe in pris on on 1
De ce m be r gave pe rm is s ion to publ is h th e ir nam e s . K e nne th Ek l und Erno Pe nnane n (01/08/06— 17/02/07) + H el s ingin työs iirtol a, PL36, 01531 Vantaa, Finl and Sante ri Lintune n + O jois te n työs iirtol a, PL36, 01531 Vantaa, Finl and H annu Luode (01/08/06— 18/02/07) + Satak unnan vank il a, K öyl iön os as to, PL42, 32701 H uittine n, Finl and
South K ore a In 2004, th e country's Supre m e Court and Cons titutionalCourt rul e d agains t th e righ t to cons cie ntious obje ction. Th e re are about 1,000 cons cie ntious obje ctors in pris on, th e gre at m ajority of th e m Je h ovah 's W itne s s e s . Pre s e ntl y, tw o cas e s are pe nding be fore th e Unite d Nations ' H um an Righ ts Com ite e . Th is ye ar al s o s aw w ide s pre ad prote s t agains t th e re l ocation of US bas e s in South K ore a, w ith m any arre s ts .
K im Ji Tae (#201, in 05/06/06) + Pye ongtae k Gu Ch e e So, Dong Sak Dong 245-1, Pye ongtae k , South K ore a Im pris one d for nonviol e nt re s is tance to Gre e ce force d re l ocation of farm ing com m unitie s In 2006, th e s ituation in Gre e ce did not for US Arm y bas e e xpans ion. Trial im prove , in s pite of broad inte rnational continue s until3 Nove m be r 2006 atte ntion. Se ve ral CO s are aw aiting th e outcom e of th e ir appe altrial s , and coul d face im pris onm e nt. USA
Is rae l Is rae lcontinnue s to im pris on draft re s is te rs for th e re fus alto e nl is t in th e Is rae l i m il itary. H ow e ve r, th e Is rae l i practice of im pos ing dis cipl inary s e nte nce s of up to 5 w e e k s re pe ate dl y m ak e s it im pos s ibl e to pre dict now w h o w il lbe in pris on on 1 De ce m be r. Pl e as e ch e ck W RI's w e bs ite for update s and ne w al e rts ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/ne w s /al e rts .
Pue rto Rico Jos é Pére z Gonz ál e z (21519 -069 ) (five ye ars – out15/07/08) + Edge fie l d FCI, PO Box 725, Edge fie l d, SC 29 824, USA H as be e n s e nte nce d for cons piracy, dam age to fe de ral prope rty, and/or probation viol ation on 01/05/03 for re s is ting th e US m il itary bom bardm e nt of Vie q ue s , Pue rto Rico.
Rus s ia Igor Sutyagin (15 ye ars ) + 4279 65, Re s publ ik a Udm urtiya, g. Sarapul ;ul . Ras k ol nik ova, 53-A, YaCh 9 1/5, 14 otryad;Rus s ia Im pris one d s ince 27/10/19 9 9 , now convicte d of e s pionage for re s e arch ing publ ic nucl e ar w e apons inform ation – s e nte nce d 07/04/04.
Gre g Boe rtje -O be d M ich ae lW al l i CarlK abatO .M .I. + Burl e igh County De te ntion Ce nte r, PO B 1416, Bis m arck , ND58502 EW M D H e re dire ct dis arm am e nt of nucl e ar m is s il e s il o E-9 in North Dak ota on 20 June 06 – aw aiting s e nte ncing on 04/12/06 H el e n W oods on (03231-045) (106 m onth s ― out09 /09 /11) + FM C Cars w e l l , M ax Unit, PO B 27137, Ft. W orth , TX 76127 Anti-w ar prote s t at th e fe de ralcourth ous e , K ans as City, M is s ouri, on 11/03/04 in viol ation of parol e fol l ow ing re l e as e from pris on on 03/09 /04. Pl e d guil ty to viol ation and four ne w ch arge s on 18/06/04. K e vin M cK e e (40886-050) (24 m onth s ― out05/11/07) + FCI Sch uyk il lSate l l ite Cam p, PO B 670, M ine rs vil l e , PA 179 54 Jos e ph Donato (40884-050) (27 m onth s — out 31/01/08) + FCI Fairton, PO B 420, Fairton, NJ 08320 Convicte d in De ce m be r 2004 for re fus alto pay w ar taxe s on re l igious grounds
+ FCI Fairton, POB 420, Fairton, NJ 08320 Aym an Jarw an (119 20-052) (18 m onth s — out 25/12/06) Convicte d for providing h um anitarian and financial aid to Iraq is in viol ation of US s anctions , Fe bruary 2005 Augus tin Aguayo + US Arm y Confine m e ntFacil ity-Europe , Mannh e im , Ge rm any Afte r h is appl ication for cons cie ntious obje ction w as de nie d, h e w e nt te m poraril y AW O L, is be ing h e l d in Ge rm any pe nding re s ol ution ofs tatus . W al te r R. Cl ous ing + Bl dg. 1041, PSC 20140, Cam p Le je une NC 28542 Se nte nce d on 12 O ctobe r to 3 m onth s for be ing AW O L
RafilDh afir (119 21-052) (22 ye ars — out 26/04/22)
O n 1 De ce m be r, putas ide atl e as tone h our and w rite atl e as tfour cards to pris one rs ; Ge tyour pe ace group or cl as s or m e e ting pl ace to organis e a card-w riting s e s s ion; Se tup a s tal lin your tow n ce ntre , pe rform a bitofs tre e tth e atre , or do w h ate ve r el s e ittak e s to attractatte ntion and inte re s t.
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Al w ays s e nd your card in an e nve l ope ; Incl ude a re turn nam e and addre s s on th e e nve l ope ; Be ch atty and cre ative : s e nd ph otos from your l ife , draw ings ; Te l lpris one rs w h atyou are doing to s top w ar and w ar pre parations ; Don'tw rite anyth ing th atm igh tge tth e pris one r into troubl e; Th ink aboutth e s ortofth ing you'd l ik e to re ce ive ifyou w e re in pris on; Don'tbe gin, "You are s o brave , I coul d ne ve r do w h atyou h ave done "; Don'te xpe ctth e pris one r to re pl y; Re m e m be r— ne xtye ar itcoul d be you ...
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Supportour future w ork For 48 ye ars , W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalh as publ icis e d th e nam e s and s torie s of pris one rs ofcons cie nce . H e l p us k e e p up th e tradition. Se nd in a s pe cialPfP donation to W RI to h e l p fund ne xtye ar's re s e arch . Se nd contributions to: W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , 5 Cal e donian Rd, London N1 9 DX, Britain (te l+ 44-20-7278 4040;fax 7278 0444;e m ailpfp@ w ri-irg.org). Your outre ach to pris one rs doe s m ak e a diffe re nce . Sh ow your s ol idarity! Donate onl ine , and/or vis itW RI's w e bs h op, w h e re you can orde r W RI publ ications and Brok e n Rifl e badge s us ing your cre ditor de bitcard, ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/s h op/s h opuk .h tm O nl ine ve rs ion: h ttp://w ri-irg.org for al lfour l anguage ve rs ions ofth e PfP 2006 pack .
Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 72, Nove m be r 2006
Pris one rs for Pe ace
Abus e r and abus e d H um an Righ ts and th e Rus s ian m il itary Th e Rus s ian m il itary face s (at l e as t) tw o h um an righ ts probl ems: de dovs h ch ina, th e h az ing ofne w cons cripts in th e Rus s ian arm y (s e e book re vie w be l ow ), and h um an righ ts viol ations by Rus s ian m il itary in Ch e ch nya or oth e r confl ictare as .
De dovs h ch ina In 19 88, th e publ ication ofan articl e K om s om ol 's k aia Pravda, de s cribing an incide ntin w h ich a cons criptw h o h ad be e n th e victim of ongoing abus e in th e barrack s e ve ntual l y s nappe d and turne d h is w e apon agains th is fe l l ow s e rvice m e n, k il l ing e igh t, s tarte d th e de bate aboutde dovs h ch ina. Th e practice ofde dovs h ch ina gave ris e to anoth e r ph e nom e non m ore or l e s s uniq ue to pos t-Sovie tRus s ia: th e Sol die rs ' M oth e rs ' M ove m e nt. For m any antim il itaris ts , itis difficul tto re l ate to th is m ove m e nt. It can notre al l y be cl as s ifie d as antim il itaris tor pacifis t– th e m ain conce rn for m any ofth e activis ts is to prote ctth e ir s ons from de dovs h ch ina in th e m il itary. M os tSol die rs ' M oth e rs ' Com m itte e s prom ote th e profe s s ional is ation ofth e Rus s ian m il itary as an ans w e r to th e probl e m ofde dovs h ch ina. H ow e ve r, th e Sol die rs ' M oth e rs ' Com m itte e s w e re and are im portantw h e n itcom e s to
providing practicalas s is tance to young m e n w h o do notw antto join th e m il itary for fe ar ofde dovs h ch ina, and m ade m any h um an righ ts abus e s in th e m il itary publ ic, th us putting th e is s ue ofde dovs h ch ina on th e age nda ofRus s ian s ocie ty, and contributing to th e col l aps e ofth e Rus s ian cons cription s ys te m , and w ide s pre ad draftavoidance . In s pite ofth e activitie s ofth e Sol die rs ' M oth e rs ', al m os t20 ye ars l ate r, th ings did notim prove , as th e cas e ofprivate Sych yov s h ow s , w h o be cam e a s ym bolofth e brutalre al itie s of Rus s ian cons cription atth e be ginning ofth is ye ar. According to re ports by th e M oth e rs ' Righ ts Foundation, "th re e th ous and s ol die rs on ave rage die e ve ry ye ar in th e Rus s ian arm y. [...] 23% ofde ath s in th e arm y are attribute d to accide nts , 16% to m il itary ope rations , 15% to oth e r s ol die rs ' aggre s s ive acts and 11% to il l ne s s . Be s ide s , in 17% cas e s th e pe ris h e d s ol die r w as th e onl y ch il d in th e fam il y and 14% ofpare nts , w h o l os t th e ir s on in m il itary s e rvice , are dis abl e d pe rs ons . Pare nts ofa pe ris h e d s ol die r can ge ta pe ns ion, w h ich am ounts 70 dol l ars a m onth , butth e y re ce ive itonl y ifit w as prove d th atth e caus e of de ath w as n'ta s uicide or an il l -
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W orl d SocialForum 2007, Ke nya
Pe opl e 's Struggl es, Pe opl e 's Al te rnative s ne s s . In addition, inve s tigation ofte n doe s n'ttak e into cons ide ration th atin m os tcas e s a s ol die r w as drive n to s uicide afte r e ve ryday h um il iation, brutal torture s and h aras s m e nt. According to Ve ronica M arch e nk o, th e l as tye ar is ch aracte riz e d by unus ual l y crue lm urde rs and num e rous crim inalcas e s ." Th e Rus s ian m il itary is now re s ponding w ith a s h orte ning ofm il itary s e rvice (to 1 ye ar from 2008 on), and incre as e d profe s s ional is ation. H ow e ve r, itis unl ik e l y th at th e s e s te ps w il le l im inate th e probl e m s m e ntione d above , as th e y are notaccom panie d by s tructural ch ange s .
Ch e ch nya
l aunch e d attack s on gove rnm e nt ins tal l ations in and ne ar Nal ch ik , th e capitalofK abardino-Bal k aria, in w h ich m ore th an 100 pe opl e , incl uding atl e as t12 civil ians , are re porte d to h ave be e n k il l e d. Th e raid w as re porte dl y in re s pons e to m onth s ofpe rs e cution ofpractis ing M us l im s in th e re gion, incl uding arbitrary de te ntion and torture by l aw e nforce m e ntofficial s , and th e cl os ure of m os q ue s . Fol l ow ing th e raid, l aw e nforce m e ntofficial s de taine d doz e ns ofpe opl e ;m any ofth e de taine e s w e re re porte dl y torture d.” W h il e th e Europe an Courtof H um an Righ ts rul e d agains tRus s ia on th e dis appe arance s and de ath ofCh e ch e n citiz e ns in Fe bruary and on 12 O ctobe r 2006, th e s ituation doe s notim prove . In its Fe bruary rul ing, th e ECH R firs t found Rus s ia guil ty ofs e rious h um an righ ts viol ations in Ch e ch nya, rul ing th atRus s ia h ad us e d dis proportionate force in its m il itary ope rations , indis crim inate l y targe te d civil ians , and fail ed to ade q uate l y inve s tigate civil ian de ath s .
Th e W orl d SocialForum 2007 w il ltak e pl ace from 20-25 January 2007 in Nairobi, K e nya. Fol l ow ing up from W RI's confe re nce 'Gl obal is ing Nonviol e nce ' in Ge rm any in Jul y th is ye ar, W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalw il l be tak ing partin th e W orl d SocialForum w ith s e ve ralactivitie s , aim e d ath igh l igh ting nonviol e nce and prom oting antim il itaris m . W RI w il lus e th e opportunity e s pe cial l y to s tre ngth e n contacts w ith oth e r groups in Africa, and to buil d ne tw ork s in s upportofEritre an h um an righ ts activis ts and drafte vade rs . H ow e ve r, W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalis notuncriticalof th e W orl d SocialForum proce s s . Itw il lbe e s pe cial l y im portantto m ak e e fforts to criticis e th e incre as e d rol e of traditionall e ftis t/m arxis tgroups in th e W SF, and e ve n m ore s o th e s upportto m il itaris tre gim e s , h ow e ve r progre s s ive th e y m igh t pre s e ntth e m s e l ve s . Fol l ow ing up from W RI's participation in th e Al te rnative SocialForum in Caracas in January 2006, W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalaim s to organis e a s e m inar 'Agains tAl lM il itaris m ' atth e W SF, w h ich w il lal s o be a pl ace to dis cus s th e 'm il itaris m ofth e l e ft'. W e as s um e th atm any W RI activis ts w il lbe in Nairobi. Pl e as e l e tus k now in advance , and h e l p us to m ak e th e W RI pre s e nce m ore vis ibl e and e ffe ctive . W e are pl anning on h aving a s tal latth e W SF, but w e ne e d vol unte e rs to h e l p us s taffit, and w e are s ure th e re w il lbe l ots ofoth e r th ings to do. Butifw e k now ofe ach oth e r, th e n w e can al s o us e th e W SF to e xch ange our e xpe rie nce as W RI activis ts . And ifyou can'tgo - w e urge ntl y ne e d donations to m ak e th e activitie s atth e W SF pos s ibl e , Ifyou w antto e arm ark your donation for th e W SF activitie s ofW RI, pl e as e m ark your contribution cl e arl y w ith "for W RIatW SF". Ifyou h ave any q ue s tions , pl e as e contactth e W RI office at info@ w ri-irg.org.
Ch e ch nya m ark s th e oth e r s ide ofh um an righ ts probl e m s re l ate d to th e Rus s ian m il itary: th e s ys te m ic viol ation ofh um an righ ts ofCh e ch e n civil ians by th e arm e d force s . And incre as ingl y th e s e practice s s pre ad to th e ne igh bouring re publ ic Ingus h e tia. Am ne s ty Inte rnationalw rite s : “Se rious h um an righ ts viol ations , incl uding w ar crim e s , continue to be com m itAn anti-w ar m ove m e nt? te d in Ch e ch nya by both Ch e ch e n In s pite ofw ide s pre ad de and fe de ralforce s . Ch e ch e n s e curdovs h ch ina and th e w ar in ity force s are incre as ingl y im pl icCh e ch nya, th e re is no anti-w ar ate d in arbitrary de te ntion, torture m ove m e ntin Rus s ia to s pe ak of. and 'dis appe arance s ' in A fe w s m al lgroups – s om e Sol Ch e ch nya. W om e n s uffe r ge nde rdie rs ' M oth e rs ' Com m itte e s , bas e d viol e nce , incl uding rape or Autonom ous Action, M e m orial , th re ats ofrape , by m e m be rs of Book re vie w and a fe w oth e rs , w ork m ore or th e fe de raland Ch e ch e n s e curity l e s s is ol ate d from e ach oth e r w ith force s . Th e re are al s o re ports th at in Rus s ia agains tRus s ia's “w ar Ch e ch e n arm e d oppos ition on te rror” in Ch e ch nya. M any Rus groups continue to com m itw ar s ian activis ts pl ace th e ir h ope s incrim e s , incl uding dire ctattack s on to th e Europe an and inte rnational ians . Am ne s ty Inte rnationalis François e Dauće and El is abe th Sie ca-K oz l ow s k i (e d.), ibide m , Stuttgart civil ins titutions , and appe alto th e s e aw are ofonl y tw o convictions dur2006 to s top th e w ar in Ch e ch nya. ing 2005 for s e rious h um an righ ts H ow e ve r, th is is unl ik e l y to h apviol ations com m itte d in dovs h ch ina unde r Gorbach e v. l y as l ong as th e re is In th e ir introduction, th e e ditors Ch e ch nya. Th e m ajority ofinve s tig- pe n, e s pe cial ic oppos ition to th e w ar in ations into al l e ge d viol ations are in- no publ w rite : "De dovs h ch ina is atth e Rus s ia its e l f. e ffe ctive and in th e fe w cas e s th at cros s roads oftrans form ation Andre as Spe ck com e to courtth e pros e cution is w h ich h ave tak e n pl ace in Rus s ia fl aw e d.” s ince th e dis appe arance ofth e M ore inform ation: “Viol e nce and unre s th ave USSR. Am ong oth e rs , itis th e con- Autonom ous Action: al s o be e n re porte d in oth e r North s e q ue nce ofh is toricall e gacy (Sow w w .avtonom .org Caucas us re publ ics , incl uding abvie tand e ve n ts aris t), cul tural - M e m orial : w w w .m e m o.ru us e s s uch as arbitrary de te ntion, te ns ions (inte r-e th nic confl icts in - Sol die rs ' M oth e rs ' Com m itte e s : torture , "dis appe arance s " and abth e USSR), pol iticaldys functions h ttp://w w w .ucs m r.ru (l ack ofde m ocracy) and e conom ic ductions . O n 13 O ctobe r 2005 a group ofup to 300 gunm e n probl e m s (l ack ofm one y in th e arm y), al lofw h ich com bine d e xpl ain th e l onge vity ofth is ne gative ph e nom e non" (page 18). M any Rus s ian groups advocPaym e ntby cre ditcard H ow to m ak e a donation to W RI? ate th e profe s s ional is ation ofth e Rus s ian m il itary as a s ol ution to Pl e as e de bitm y cre ditcard for th e am ountof ► by s tanding orde r w h ich e nabl e s us to pl an but th e probl e m ofde dovs h ch ina, £/ € /US$......... (de l e te curre ncy as appropriate ) l e t us k now (s e e bank de t ail s ov e rl e af ) w h ich t h e y s e e as re l at e d t o conTh is book is notw ritte n from a ► in USA by arranging for re gul ar donations to be s cription. H ow e ve r, th e auth ors of pacifis tpe rs pe ctive - h ardl y s o, Cre ditCard Vis a/Acce s s /M as te rcard/ s e ntth rough your bank 's bil lpaym e nts e rvice th e book give pl e nty ofre as ons to and m any auth ors w rite from a Am e rican Expre s s (de l e te as ► by giro trans fe r to W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , be m ore cautious abouts uch an cl e arl y pro-m il itary pe rs pe ctive . appropriat e ) • in Euros t o Bank of I re l and, (e as y) approach . I n h is cont ribuButth is is nota w e ak ne s s , as w e IBAN IE9 1 BO FI 9 000 9 240 413547 tion, Joris van Bl ade lconcl ude s : as re ade rs can e as il y add th is pe rCard num be r: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BIC/SW IFT BO FIIE2D "Ifw e s pe ak aboutth e profe s s ions pe ctive . W h atth e book offe rs is • in £ s te rl ing to Unity Trus tBank , alarm e d force s w e h ave to be s om e ins igh tinto th e ph e nom e non Expiry date : _ _ _ /_ _ _ Se curity code : _ _ _ _ _ IBAN GB11 CPBK 0800 5150 07 32 10 care fulw h atw e e xactl y m e an. If ofde dovs h ch ina - th e h az ing of ► by cre ditcard – com pl e te de tail s in th e ne xt w e m e an th atitis a w ay ofre cruitRus s ian cons cripts to a de gre e unNam e on card: ...................................................... col um n or us e our w e b facil ity ath ttp://w ri-irg.org ing s ol die rs , w ith outq ual itative k now n in W e s te rn s ocie tie s . ► by ch e q ue , in £, €, or US$, payabl e to "W RI" ch ange s in th e arm e d force s , w ith Th e auth ors putde dovs h ch ina Signature : ...................................................... ► (UK onl y) by Ch arity Aid vouch e r (CAF), m ade its cl os e dne s s as th e m os tim portin th e conte xtofth e Rus s ian pos toutto Lans bury H ous e Trus tFund (to re q ue s t lnot Sovie ts ocie ty - a conte xtch aracte r- antfe ature , de dovs h ch ina w il Bil l ing addre s s (ifdiffe re ntfrom ove rl e af) s uch vouch e rs , w rite to: Ch aritie s Aid Foundadis appe ar. Th e s am e m al functions is e d by a radicalch ange ofrul es tion, K ings H il l , W e s tM ail ing, K e ntM E19 4TA, lcontinue in th e w ith in s ocie ty - from Sovie ts tyl e s o- and abus e s w il ................................................................................... or vis itw w w .CAFonl ine .org) th e n ne w Rus s ian profe s s ional cial is m to w il d capital is m - and in► (USA onl y) by s e nding a tax de ductabl e donaarm e d force s " (page 29 8f). Al l cre as e d s ocialde privation. Butin ................................................................................... tion – m ak e ch e ck s payabl e to th e A.J. M us te Inl , and h e re w e can add our pacidoing s o, itis nots ugge s te d th atde - w e l s titute fis tpe rs pe ctive ofde m il itaris ation dovs h ch ina did note xis tin Sovie t BR72/11/06/e n-int ofs ocie ty as an ans w e r to de tim e s - in fact, th e Sol die rs M oth dovs h ch ina. e rs ' Com m itte e s firs te xpos e d de -
De dovs h ch ina in th e Pos t-Sovie tM il itary H az ing ofRus s ian Arm y Cons cripts in a Com parative Pe rs pe ctive
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Nam e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Addre s s : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________________________________ Date : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Signature : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Anti-w ar de m ons tration in M os cow in Fe bruary 2005
Cons cie ntious obje ction in Rus s ia A firs tim pre s s ion afte r th re e ye ars ofpractice Th e Rus s ian l aw on cons cie ntious obje ction cam e into force on 1 January 2004, introducing a "righ t" to cons cie ntious obje ction w h ich is notin l ine w ith inte rnationals tandards , incl uding a s ubs titute s e rvice 1.75 tim e s l onge r th an m il itary s e rvice [1]. In practice - l e aving th e l ong s e rvice tim e as ide - probl ems aris e m ainl y from th e bure aucratic appl ication proce dure . An appl ication for cons cie ntious obje ction h as to be s ubm itte d no l ate r th an s ix m onth be fore cal l -up. H ow e ve r, m any pote ntialCO s are notaw are ofth e s e de adl ine s , and th e draftboards ofte n give w rong or incom pl e te inform ation. According to Se rge y K rive nk o, s e cre tary ofth e Al l -Rus s ian NGO Coal ition for De m ocratic Al te rnative Civil ian Se rvice , th e re are cas e s ofdire ct m is inform ation ofpe opl e by official s ofdraftboards ;k now ingl y giving w rong or ins ufficie nt inform ation, s uch as th atth e righ t to CO onl y appl ie s to pe opl e w ith
W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational s upporting and conne cting w ar re s is te rs al love r th e w orl d Pl e as e s e nd your donation today to s upport th e w ork of W RI – Th ank You! Iw antto s upportW RI:
Ph oto: Andre as Spe ck
re l igious be l ie fs . H ow e ve r, m os t draftboards do notprovide inform ation on th e righ tto CO . Pre s e ntl y th e re are s e ve ral cas e s w h e re an appl ication for cons cie ntious obje ction w as de nie d be caus e ofth e m is s e d de adl ine , and s ubs e q ue ntl y cons cie ntious obje ctors w e re force d to pe rform m il itary s e rvice . Th is partofth e CO l aw is pre s e ntl y be ing ch al l e nge d atth e Cons titutionalCourtofth e Rus s ian Fe de ration. Th e re are al s o cas e s w h e re th e draftboard did notpas s on CO appl ications to th e cons cription board - th e onl y body w h ich is e m pow e re d to m ak e de cis ions on CO appl ications .
s ia h as to be s e e n in l igh tofth e dis as trous s ituation w ith in th e m il itary, and w ide s pre ad draftavoidance . According to a pol lby th e inde pe nde ntLe vada ce nte r, w il l ingne s s to s e rve in th e Rus s ian m il itary h as droppe d to l e s s th an 40% atth e be ginning of2006 [3]. H ow e ve r, for m os tyoung pe opl e draftavoidance - by m e ans of "buying" m e dicale xe m ptions or de fe rm e nts ofm il itary s e rvice - is th e m e th od ofch oice , and notth e l e gal l y provide d form ofcons cie ntious obje ction. Th is m e ans th at CO num be rs do notre fl e ctth e w ide s pre ad dis conte ntw ith th e Rus s ian m il itary. Andre as Spe ck
O ve ral l , s ince th e l aw on cons cie ntious obje ction cam e into force , about3,500 pe opl e appl ie d for cons cie ntious obje ction. Pre s e ntl y, th e re are no s tatis tics avail abl e h ow m any appl ications h ave be e n acce pte d or turne d dow n. H ow e ve r, aboutone h undre d pe opl e contacte d h um an righ ts organis ations in Rus s ia to as k for h e l p be caus e ofprobl ems w ith th e bure aucracy, and m os tl y w on th e ir righ tto CO s ubs e q ue ntl y [2].
Note s : [1] For a m ore de tail e d criticis m of Rus s ia's l aw on cons cie ntious obje ction, s e e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational : Th e Rus s ian Fe de ration: H um an Righ ts and th e Arm e d Force s ;re portto th e Unite d Nations H um an Righ ts Com m itte e , Se pte m be r 2003, h ttp://w riirg.org/ne w s /2003/un0309 ru.h tm [2] Inform ation provide d by Se rge y K rive nk o, e m ailto W RI, 19 O ctobe r 2006 [3] A-Infos , 7 M arch 2006
Cons cie ntious obje ction in Rus -
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W ar is a Crim e agains tH um anity: Th e Story ofTh e W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational Ne w book by De vi Pras ad "W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , born out of th e h orrors and s tupidity of W orl d W ar I, h as k e pt th e banne rs of cons cie ntious obje ction and abol ition of w ar fl ying th rough th e m os t atrocious ce ntury of Europe an h is tory. W ar re s is te rs , organis e d or not, w il lbring about th e e nd ofw ar." Joh an Gal tung, dr h c m ul t, ProfofPe ace Studie s De vi Pras ad s tudie d at Sh antinik e tan, Tagore 's Unive rs ity, w ork e d as a te ach e r and artis t in Se vagram , Gandh i's as h ram , from th e 19 40s until19 62. From 19 6219 72 h e w as Ge ne ralSe cre tary ofth e W RI. Publ is h e d by: W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational ISBN 0-9 03517-20-5. 560 page s , 67 ph otos . Publ ication date : 21 O ctobe r 2005 £28.00 pl us pos tage . O rde r now on our w e bs h op ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/e n