Hi Raymond, thank you for providing this link about conscientious objectors to military service in Greece. I found it very interesting.
I noted it said:
"In September 1977, on the last day of the Parliamentary sessions, the Karamanlis government of New Democracy (right party) passes law 731, under the pressure of international organizations and especially of the Council of Europe. According to this law, those who refuse to be drafted for religious reasons can choose between serving a four-year unarmed service in a camp and getting imprisoned for four years in military prisons, being exempted afterwards from any new call to serve. Two years before, during the constitutional reform of 1975, the proposal of PA.SO.K. (Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement) for the institution of an alternative civil service for those who refuse to serve their military service for religious or ideological reasons had been rejected by the ruling party of New Democracy."
Before Greece actually allowed alternative civil service the choice for religious objectors was either to serve the military in a military camp in unarmed service or be imprisoned. Both choices were for 4 years which was double the time of those doing military service. There was no civil service. JW's obviously chose to be imprisoned to serving the military even though in unarmed service. At the end of the article it says,
"As expected, the law did not solve the several and complex problems which had been accumulated all these years. Nevertheless, its voting was welcomed as a positive step both by abroad and by the Greek conscientious objectors who chose to support the institution with their participation. From 1998 until today, around 2000 conscientious objectors (the vast majority being Jehovah’s Witnesses) have served or are serving an alternative civilian service."
On that same site, http://www.antirrisies.gr/upr2011 it mentions that this law was first introduced in 1997. There doesn't seem to have been a choice of civilian service prior to that.
The right to Conscientious Objection in Greece
"(4) Law 2510 of 1997, the first law introducing civilian service, was the result of European and UN pressure, but the majority of its provisions had a punitive and discriminatory character for conscientious objectors. In 2005, the law was reformed (Law 3421/2005), but with no substantial changes. In September 2010 a new Law (3883/2010) was introduced. According to this law, the duration of civilian service is double than the military one, which is obviously punitive in nature. The duration may be decreased by decision of the Minister of Defence, but must be equal to the maximum duration of the military service increased by at least two months. Currently this would equal 14 months, because the military service in the naval and air forces lasts 12 months. So again it would be punitive because the military service in the land forces lasts nine months and it’s this that the vast majority of the conscripts serve."
Also, if you go to the War Resisters' web site, http://www.wri-irg.org/programmes/world_survey/country_report/en/Greece
it confirms when Greece began offering alternative civil service:
Conscientious objection
Conscientious objection for conscripts
The right to conscientious objection was first recognised in 1997 with Law 2510/19978. This law came into effect on 1 January 1998. Presently, this right is regulated by Law 3421/2005. Both religious and non-religious grounds for conscientious objection are legally recognised.
And as noted above, From 1998 until today, around 2000 conscientious objectors (the vast majority being Jehovah’s Witnesses) have served or are serving an alternative civilian service."
In your post above, you wrote,
"Greece didn't offer any alternative civic service up to the late 80's .When that happened many brothers accepted to work in prison under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence .Initially Bethel gave "the green light" for accepting these jobs ,then changed their mind and gave them an ultimatum ,resign or be disfellowshiped ."
Any research I did only came up with substitute civil service being available in 1998. Are you able to provide proof to your post above?
Thanks.
