Jehovah’s Witnesses reports, October 24, 2013

On October 23, 2013, Armenia’s Republican Commission granted alternative civilian service to 57 of Jehovah’s Witnesses who had applied for the new program. This figure includes 6 of the 20 imprisoned Witnesses.
These positive developments began with Armenia adopting on June 8, 2013, amendments that bring Armenia’s Law on Alternative Service into harmony with European standards.
The first tangible evidence of the changes came on October 2, 2013, when the president of Armenia referred to the recently amended Law on Alternative Service in his remarks to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: “People who do not want to serve in the army, because of their conscience, will be exempted from criminal liability under our procedures.”
The new program of alternative civilian service allows conscientious objectors who are Jehovah’s Witnesses the opportunity to make a contribution to their country that is in harmony with their Bible-trained conscience. These young men now have the option, if their conscience permits, of applying for alternative civilian service rather than serving two to three years in a penal institution among hardened criminals.
During this first hearing of the Republican Commission of conscientious objectors, those who applied received various assignments and will serve as orderlies, groundskeepers, or cooks, or work in other non-military roles in medical facilities or orphanages. Many of these young men expressed their eagerness to be serving the interest of their fellow-citizens in a useful way.
Following the hearing that the Republican Committee conducted with 6 imprisoned conscientious objectors, they are released today October 24 from the Erebuni prison. They will soon start their assignment under civilian supervision. These young men rejoice to see that the final solution to their initial request for alternative civilian service has eventually been implemented.
The Committee will also consider the application for alternative service of the remaining imprisoned Witnesses who opt for alternative service and is expected to release these men to substitute their term of imprisonment with alternative civilian service.