Conscientious Objector Refuses Military Service
Halil Savda, a conscientious objector to serving in the military, became exempt from military service in peace time by a certificate of disability for discharge, given to him by the military. Savda was arrested during the press conference organized for the release of İsmail Saygı, another conscientious objector, and put into Çorlu Military Prison.
Savda objects the certificate, which got him out of his military service, by pointing out that he did not want it. In a letter to savaskarsitlari.org, where he explains his objection, Savda says that he is still a conscientious objector, and that he will not do his military service both in war and peace.
Savda has 15.5 month jail time, already decided
Savda, who has 15.5 month jail time, already decided, says that he was handcuffed and taken to a military jail, since according to the Turkish Penal Code every 20 year old Turkish man must go to the army for his 18 month long military service. He states that he was tried many times for the accusations of “refusing to obey the orders to get out of military service” and “desertion”, jailed for months and tortured. He is still in jail.
Savda commented about the certification that stated “he cannot serve in the military in peace time, but can during military mobilization”, which was given to him by the Çorlu Military Hospital Medical Commission on April 25, 2008:
“The quickly convened medical board reached this decision in order to prevent the discussion of my conscientious objection. I do not accept the decision of the military justice and its institutions, which do not have the faintest clue about freedom and justice. I will never hold a weapon.”
Savda demands that Turkey follows the stipulations of the international agreements which it signed, ends the torture targeting the conscientious objectors, stops immediately the prison and civil death treatment and recognizes the conscientious objection right. (EZÖ/GG/MB)