Military Service, Alternative Social Service,and Conscientious Objection in the Americas: A Brief Survey of Selected Countries

Introduction

Military recruitment and military service have been the sources of egregious human rights violations in the Americas. The practice of forcible recruitment, while on the decline, continues in several countries. Children also are susceptible to forcible recruitment where practiced. Our office has received reports indicating that recruits often are subjected to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse at the hands of their military superiors. Often occurring as "punishment" for infractions of military rules, such abuses appear to result from the arbitrary exercise of authority by military officials. Moreover, reports indicate that standard military training practices may in some countries involve subhuman conditions including an inadequate diet and exposure to ritualistic "hazing" practices such as the consumption of human or animal blood.

The transition from military to civilian rule in much of the Americas has been accompanied by an evaluation of military service requirements and other issues germane to improving human rights guarantees. In several instances collaborative efforts between elected government officials and various sectors of civil society have led to significant changes in military conscription practices and military service requirements. Most notable is the case of Honduras, where popular outcry over the practice of forcible conscription resulted in the passage of a constitutional amendment establishing a voluntary military service. The case of Honduras also provides an illuminating example of the difficulties that will be encountered in the transition from obligatory to voluntary military service. Recent reports indicate that nearly 50% of youth conscripted during a 1994 military draft have since deserted. Few Honduran youth have interest in serving in the military, due to the poor image of the armed forces and difficult conditions within the armed forces.

A tendency toward a voluntary military service in the Americas is becoming apparent, however. Additionally, in several countries where military service remains obligatory, civilian efforts are underway to establish regulatory guidelines for military conscription and legal protections for youth susceptible to conscription. Of critical importance are the advances being made for those persons who oppose military service on moral, ethical, religious, humanitarian, and other grounds. Such persons are commonly referred to as conscientious objectors. The concept of Alternative Social Service (Service Civil) is being introduced in several countries as an alternative to armed service for conscientious objectors. This trend is consistent with developments in numerous European nations and international legal standards. It should be noted that only Canada and the United States extend conscientious objector rights to military personnel.

The present survey utilizes results of a comprehensive investigation being conducted by NISBCO on the subject of human rights and military service, to be released in September of 1996. Where more recent data is not yet available, we have relied on an Amnesty International study published in 1991 entitled Conscientious Objection to Military Service, and a 1994 report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Economic and Social Council on the matter of conscientious objection (E/CN.4/1995/99). Data also comes directly from the embassies of the countries in question, and through the official published records of legislative proceedings. For those countries designated with an asterisk, click for additional information.

Countries surveyed: 27
Countries with obligatory military service: 13
Countries with voluntary military service: 9
Countries with no military service: 4
Countries recognizing conscientious objection: 6
Countries with alternative social service: 4