Conscientious objection

26/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Fiji has no conscription. [2] [3]

2 Conscientious objection

There is no known legal provision for conscientious objection.

3 Desertion

No information available.

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces comprise 3,600 troops, which is 0.46 percent of the population. [1]

Sources

[1] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London. [2] Eide, A., C. Mubanga-Chipoya 1985.

19/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Turkmenistan decided to create its own armed forces in early 1992. However, their first full-scale military exercises did not occur until October 1995. [2]

military service

Military service lasts for two years - although according to another source the period is 18 months.

19/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription has existed since the achievement of independence.

The legal basis of conscription is a text published in China in 1933, plus subsequent modifications. [1]

military service

All men between the ages of 18 and 45 are liable for military service. [1]

Military service lasts for two years. [1]

There are reserve duties. [4]

Military training for both men and women is available at both college and university, but it is not known whether it is compulsory.

19/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Papua New Guinea has no conscription. [2] [3]

2 Conscientious objection

There is no known legal provision for conscientious objection.

3 Desertion

No information available.

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces are 4,300-strong - that is about 0.09 percent of the population. [1]

Sources

[1] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London. [2] UN Commission on Human Rights 1997.

19/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

The legal basis of conscription is the Universal Military Service Act. [2]

Military service is performed in the armed forces, the border guards, the internal security troops and the construction troops. [1]

Traditionally all men and women must undergo civil defence training. In 1982 there were 600 civil defence units, but it is not known if and how far civil defence training still goes on. [2]

military service

All men between the ages of 18 and 28 are liable for military service.

19/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Conscription has never existed since the achievement of independence in 1971. [2]

Conscription is not likely to be introduced in the future.

26/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

In 1990 the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) combined to form the Republic of Yemen. The northern and southern armed forces were supposed to merge, but this proved to be a difficult process. In May 1994 a short civil war broke out, which was won by the northern forces.

07/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

The Canadian Forces (CF) are an all-volunteer, professional force. The Canadian Constitution does not expressly address the issue of conscription. At present there are no national laws that entitle the government to launch a conscription or compulsory military service scheme. Nor is there any system of national registration for a potential draft. [3]

recruitment

Enlistment in the armed forces is voluntary for men and women. The minimum age for enlistment is 17.

06/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Suriname has never had compulsory military service since independence was achieved in 1972.

recruitment

Enlistment in the armed forces is voluntary. Nothing is known about recruitment methods.

Conditions in the armed forces are deplorable. Ever since 1980, following sergeant Desi Bouterse's coup, they have been deliberately neglected, in order to prevent further military coup attempts.

06/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Military service in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) may be compulsory only at times of national danger. [1]

Guyana has a 'National Service' programme which apparently neither entails military service nor is a form of conscription. The 1980 constitution defines National Service as "service in any disciplined force, a principal purpose of which is the training of people with a view to advancing the economic development of Guyana".

06/05/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Grenada has no regular armed forces and there is no conscription. [1] [4]

2 Conscientious objection

The right to conscientious objection is not legally recognized. [4]

5 History

Conscription has never existed since independence was achieved in 1974.

Following the March 1979 coup the government established a 1,000 to 1,500-strong People's Revolutionary Army and a People's Militia, consisting of 25,000 volunteers.

1 Conscription

conscription exists

Conscription is referred to in art. 143 of the 1988 Federal Constitution which states that military service is compulsory. [1] [5]

Conscription is regulated by the Military Service Decree. [5]

military service

According to the Military Service Decree all 19-year-old citizens are liable for military service. [5]

But in practice it seems that men are called up at the age of 18. [3] [7]

Military service lasts for 12 months, and may be extended to 18 months.