WRITTEN QUESTION E-1731/02

Submission: To the Commission

05 June 2002

Subject: Imprisonment of Conscientious Objectors in Israel

According to Amnesty International, Israel does not recognize the right to alternative service for conscientious objectors who refuse military service, as recognized by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Israel is a party. As a result of this practice, since the beginning of the Intifada, at least 114 conscientious objectors have been imprisoned, with around 20 of them currently in prison due to their refusal to serve in the occupied territories.

What actions does the Commission intend to take to pressure the Israeli government to comply with the international conventions it has ratified, which are openly violated in practice?