Two Jehovah's Witnesses trials under way in Armenia
POLICY OF REPEAT PROSECUTION IN TRIALS OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN ARMENIA CONTINUES UNCHECKED
Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, 15 January 2002
"I love my homeland and am prepared to do any beneficial work for it that is not connected with the military." These words were spoken yesterday by 21-year old Henrik Hovnikyan, a young Jehovah’s Witness being tried a second time for his refusal to serve in the military. The judge in the case, Mr. Gor Akopyan, commented on the young man’s fine character, his unblemished work record as well as character references from his employer and the municipality describing him as an exemplary citizen. Nevertheless he sentenced him to two and a half years of incarceration. While passing sentence, the judge also acknowledged that young Henrik had already been tried and sentenced to two years for the same offence.
The case illustrates the plight of young Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia. Despite commitments to the Council of Europe to free all conscientious objectors and pass legislation on civilian alternative service, authorities in the former Soviet republic continue an aggressive policy of jailing young Jehovah’s Witnesses who refuse military service. When these are released for good behavior or by a general amnesty, they are without exception, rearrested, tried, and sentenced a second time. In Henrik’s case, he was pardoned as part of a general amnesty declared in connection with Armenia’s celebration of 1,700 years of Christianity. Soon thereafter he was rearrested and held in custody pending his second trial.
There are 7,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia. Over one hundred of these have been sentenced to prison terms for refusing military service over the last five years. Many of these will eventually face a second term of imprisonment. (posted 18 January 2002)
QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE AND RIGHTS OF PARENTS KEY ISSUES IN ARMENIAN APPEAL COURT TRIAL
Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, 16 January 2002
The prosecutor continued his appeal cross-examination of Mr. Lyova Margaryan today. His questions focused on the stand of Jehovah’s Witnesses on military service and the presence of minor children at their meetings and in religious activities. Both issues constitute the main thrust of Article 244, under which Mr. Margaryan was charged and found not guilty in a lower court.
Mr. Margaryan rejected the notion that he or any of Jehovah’s Witnesses influence others to refuse military service. He explained that each of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes his own decision based on his conscience. "This is their conviction, their understanding of the Bible, and the Constitution of Armenia guarantees freedom of conscience and expression."
As to the activity of minor children, their attendance at meetings and participation in religious activities, Mr. Margaryan stated that parents have the right and the responsibility of making decisions as to the activities of their children. "When children attend meetings and engage in religious activities, they do so with their parents’ permission, and it is not for me to approve or disapprove." When the defense lawyer stated that according to Article 7 of the law on religion, parents who are Jehovah’s Witnesses have the right to raise their children as they see fit, the prosecutor objected, claiming that this right only applies to "registered religions."
The law under which Mr. Margaryan has been charged is considered by many to be a Soviet relic and has been referred to as archaic and unconstitutional by other former Soviet republics and long removed from their legislation.
The trial resumes Monday, January 21, 2002 at noon. (posted 18 January 2002)
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