1989. február (számozatlan) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
is «Ktí«eARtAK 0CTO8tR» ,-»> ®ié3£ Editor: Gy6rgy Kr»*só » 24/D Little Russell Street * London. WC1A 2HN » Tel. 01-00 2126 (írom abroad 441-00 2126) 12th February, 1989 "Conscientious Ob.iectors Circle" This February, as in every year, many young Hungárián mén are conscripted intő the árny. This February, as in every year, there are those among them vho, due to religous or political conviction or fór reasons of conscience, do nőt obey the order or vho after joining up refuse to take up arms. Conscientious objectors can expect imprisonment: the FŐ Street military court has fór decades sentenced many to 2-3 years imprisonment. Today Hungary is one of the fev European nations which punishes those vho vish to exercise their right to conscientiously object, a right which is acknovledged by the UNs humán rights committee. Bút last year something shifted, there were references to the influence of , national and foreign demands and protest, then promises that the problem would be rectified and finally the Council of Ministers decided that it would submit a proposal to Parliament: there should be a law on the right to choose an alter- native social service. This decision was made bút the law was nőt, and no date has been set fór its submission before Parliament or the debate. In the meantime conscientious objectors continue to serve sentences in Hungárián penal institut- ions. This avkward situation is part of the reason that the Conscientious Objectors Circle was formed on February llth "to promote trust and peace between peoples and nations" - as their declaration states. The Circle wants to protect the interest of conscientious objectors, to mount the complete rehabilitation of those previously convicted and to ensure that the social service which is intro- duced operates legally and is peacefül in character. The Circle wants to infom society of the issues connected to conscientious objection and strives fór International co-operation. The organisation was established by eight ex-conscien- tious objectors, including József Merza and his són who belong to the Catholic basis community ran by György Bulányi, and Zsolt Keszthelyi who was released from prison in January. The Circle is open to anyone who refused to do military service and anyone who agrees vith the notion of conscientious objection can be a supporting member. Its suporters include Tamás Perlaki who has worked fór years 1 on behalf of conscientious objectors and Tibor Holczer, a member of the group "Conscience 88" which struggles to protect Transylvanian refugees, Géza Dely and two women, Éva Bodo and Olga Diószegi. V; 4 i Subscribers can use or quote the Hungárián October newsletters in totál or in detail as long as the source is acknowledged. i __________ t
