Prisoners for peace list: 2020

Last Updated: 9 December, 2020

Below is a list of some of those currently in prison for their work for peace. Write to them on 1st December, Prisoners for Peace Day, help us grow our solidarity!

We include those whose addresses we can obtain, and who are happy to have their names and stories made public. In some cases, nicknames are used and 'care of' (c/o) addresses given, where that person is happy to be contacted, but does not want their contact details spread publicly.

Ambazonia

Here some of the prisoners for the expression of their conscientiously held belief that the fundamental human rights of the people of Ambazonia, formerly the United Nations Trust Territory of Southern Cameroons under United Kingdom administration, needs to be respected by all — including the French neo-colonial regime in Cameroon and its allies.

• Mancho Bibixy (Sep ’16 —)
• Tsi Conrad (Sep ’16 —)
• Tha Emile Angwe (Sep ’16 —)
• Aselech Martin (Sep ’16 —)
• Tamngwa Martin (Sep ’16 —)
• Mr. Wilfred Tassang (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Profesor Augustine Awasum (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Dr. Cornelius Njikimpi Kwanga (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Dr. Henry Kimeng (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Dr. Egbe Ogork (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Barrister Shufai Berinyuy (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Barrister Eyambe Elias (5 Jan ’19 —)
• Dr. Nfor Ngalla Nfor (5 Jan ’19 —)

For all above, write to: Prison Principale Kondengui Yaoundé, B. P 100, YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon

Eritrea

Eritrea continues to imprison conscientious objectors. The below are all Jehovah's Witness, imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service.

Eritrea's military service is indefinite, for men and women, and starts in the final two years of high school, which is in a military camp.

• Henok Ghebru (01 Feb ‘05 —)
• Yosief Fessehaye (01 Oct ‘06 —)
• Samuel Ghirmay (01 Mar ‘09 —)
• Bereket Habteyesus (26 May ‘14 —)
• Yosief Tesfamariam (01 May ‘12 —)
• Samuol Dawit (09 Apr ‘16 —)

For all above, write to: Mai Serwa Prison, Asmara, Eritrea

South Korea

Despite the recognition of the right to conscientious objection, there are still conscientious objectors in prison in South Korea. This year, along with 5 COs currently in prison, there is also a peace activist, Song Kang- ho, who was sentenced to 2 years for his nonviolent protest against the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea.

• H.H Park (expected release date 03 Dec ‘21) Write to: P.O Box 17, Dongsuwonucheguk Gyeonggi- do, 442-190 Republic of Korea
• J.S Bang (expected release date 10 Sep ’21) Write to: P.O. Box 20, Gunpo, Gyeonggi- do, 437-050, Republic of Korea
• Jong-hoon Eun (30 Sep 2019 — 30 Mar ‘21) write to: 127, Halmi-ro, Okgu-eup, Gunsan- si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea (zip code: 54172)
• Kang-Ho Song (23 Sep 2021 —) Write to: Jeju Post Office PO Box 161, Jeju City, Jeju Island, South Korea, (zip code: 63166)
• S.B Yoo (Expected release date 27 Oct ’21) Write to: 238-12, Seokgyo-ri, Mado- myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Sang-yoon Song (21 Aug ‘19 — 28 Feb ’21) Write to: 107, Yanghwa-ro, Ganam-eup, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (zip code: 12655)
• S.H. Ahn (expected release date 23 Apr '22). Write to: Chuncheon Correctional Institution, Box 69 P.O. Chuncheonucheguk Chuncheon-si Gangwon-do, 200-710, Republic of Korea

USA

In October 24, 2019 seven peace activists were found guilty and charged with a range of crimes, including trespassing, depredation of government property for their protest actions at Kings Bay nuclear submarine base in Georgia on April 4, 2018.

This year Carmen Trotta, Clare Grady, Elizabeth McAlister, Martha Hennessy and Patrick O'Neill were sentenced individually and virtually to serve in prison between 10 to 33 months. Mark Colville has not been sentenced as he refuse to give up his right to appear in person in court and until is safe to do so.

Fr. Steve Kelly sentenced to 33 months (which he had already serve) remains in jail in Brunswick waiting to be transported by the U.S. marshals to Tacoma, Washington for a probation violation from a prior trespass conviction at the West Coast Trident base. He refused to comply with supervised probation and was then arrested at Kings Bay.

To know how you can support these peace activists and other updates go to: kingsbayplowshares7.org

To check Stephen Kelly's address and mail instructions, go to www.nukeresister.org/inside- out/.

Singapore

Singapore does not recognise the right to conscientious objection. Conscientious objectors usually serve two terms in prison, the first up to 15 months and the second up to 24 months - which means that they can serve up to 39 months behind bars. Bellow all Jehovah's Witness, imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service.

• Donovan Yong (expected release date 31 Dec ‘20)
• Edrenz James Do Ramos (expected release date 12 Aug ’21)
• Ganesh Aravind (expected release date 12 Aug ’21)
• Joshua Soon (Awaiting 2nd martial court)
• Kang Yu Ho (Benedict) (expected release date 02 Apr '21)
• Lie Hao Norman Sek (expected release date 30 Sep '21)
• Raj s/o Rajamogn Rohan (expected release date 12 Aug ’21)
• Shao Qi Koh (expected release date 30 Sep '21)
• Shawn Jonathan Kumar (expected release date 31 Dec ’20)
• Yi Jie Lucas Lee (expected release date 30 Sep '21)
• Nicholas Ang (Awaiting 2nd martial court)
• Ca Leb (Azariah) Wa (Awaiting 2nd martial court)

For all above, write to: Singapore Armed Forces Detention Barracks, 402 Lor Kebasi, 688791, Singapore

Tajikistan

In Tajikistan, military service of two years is compulsory for almost all able-bodied young men between the ages of 16 and 27. There is no law regulating alternative service for conscientious objectors and those unable to serve in the armed forces on grounds of conscience face prosecution.

• Rustamjon Norov, 22-year-old conscientious objector, is in prison at the moment and facing prosecution for refusing compulsory military service on grounds of conscience. He faces two to five years' imprisonment if convicted. Write to: Ya/T 9/2 Investigation Prison, Khujand, Sugd Region, Tajikistan

Israel

Starting from August, 19 year-old refuser Hallel Rabin has spent more than 50 days in military prison in 4 separate terms. She was imprisoned for her refusal to be enlisted. Hallel has recently been released and exempted from military service. However, there might be other Israeli COs jailed for their refusal to be conscripted in the coming weeks and months

For up-to-date info on how to write to COs in prison in Israel, please check our Conscientious Objection Action Alerts.

Turkmenistan

In Turkmenistan, military service is compulsory for men between 18 and 27, and it is generally two years. Despite repeated calls by the United Nations, the Turkmenistan state doesn't offer any civilian alternative to military service. This year nine conscientious objectors are known to be in prison.

• Eldor Saburov (expected release some time in 2022)
• Azat Ashirov (31 Jul ‘19 — 31 Jul ‘21)
• Bahtiyar Atahanov (15 Jul ‘19 — 31 Jul ‘23)
• Eziz Atabayev (19 Dec ‘18 — 31 Dec ‘20)
• Kamiljan Ergashov (expected release some time in 2022)
• Myrat Orazgeldiyev (expected release some time in 2021)
• Sanjarbek Saburov (expected release some time in 2022)
• Serdar Dovletov (expected release some time in 2022)
• Vepa Matyakubov (expected release some time in 2022)

For all above, write to: Seydi Labour Camp, 746222 Lebap velayat, Seydi, uchr. LB-E/12, Turkmenistan

Finland

In Finland, there is conscription for all citizens assigned as male at birth. The right to conscientious objection is recognised but the length of alternative civilian service is punitive. For decades, many Finnish conscientious objectors have declared 'total objection', refusing the conscription system altogether (including alternative service), emphasising the system's militaristic content or referring to their religious beliefs. Many total objectors have served time behind bars or in house arrest due to their refusal. Matias Selin, a Jehovah's Witness, is one them who is serving a house arrest due to his total objection at the moment.

• Matias Selin (07 Sep '20 - 26 Feb '21). Write to: Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto, Matias Selin, Rauhanasema, Veturitori 3, 00520 Helsinki, FINLAND