The CTP, the largest opposition political party in the north, was set to introduce a bill in ‘parliament’ on Monday to legalise conscientious objection.
Turkish Cypriots are required by law to complete military service, which ordinarily lasts 15 months.
The concept of conscientious objection is not currently recognised in the north’s laws, and as a result, the refusal to complete military service is a criminal act which one can lead to jail time.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, the CTP pointed out that the right to conscientious objection is recognised “in many countries”, while case law from the European Court of Human Rights also recognises the right.
The ECHR states that conscientious objection “is based on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.”
The bill stipulates that those who wish to conscientiously object to military service may instead be asked to perform duties in civil service and other public sector organisations.
In December, ‘deputy parliament speaker’ Fazilet Ozdenefe had pledged to “do her best” to legalise conscientious objection during a meeting with objector Mustafa Hurben.
She said “it saddens me and many [OTHER ‘MPS’] to not be able to make the necessary legislative arrangements on an issue which is considered a human right by the European Court of Human Rights and in international practice, as part of one’s freedom of religion and conscience.”
Hurben is set to stand trial for his conscientious objection in military court, with his date in court set for January 18.
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