by Slidin Fast 7 Replies latest jw friends
So, the Ministry of Defence is reviewing the legislation exempting JWs from military service. Apparently active members service is deferred every 3 years as long as they remain active.
Now it may be considered problematic, unconstitutional. Interesting.
GOOD! Make them work to earn their deferment!
...on the other hand, what military unit would want to encumber themselves with a cowardly incopetent superstitious JW in a position to cause great harm to themselves and/or others?
Maybe the MoD would be better advised to let sleeping dogs lie?
will the conscripted be told to tell the authority that objection is their idea not the wts? as i was told to tell.
SF,
Thanks for the post. The news article states that the reason for the review is that the exemption specifically for JWs was made before the present constitution came into effect. But someone had to notice the discrepancy between the old practice and the new constitution. Do you know if the the growing public profile of the org and their child abuse policies played any role in someone noticing the disparity?
The discrepancy was noted by one Otto Absetz, who is not a JW. Otto opposes militarism in all its forms and In March 2014 he was sentenced to "home detention" for 173 days for "refusal of civilian service". His refusal was based on the fact that the current Finnish legislation on conscription is discriminatory, and treats people differently, according to their sex and religion (Jehovah's Witnesses are exempt in peacetime). He breached his conditions and in 2015 was sentenced to serve the rest of the sentence in prison. He appealed against this on grounds of discrimination but began his sentence on 30 August 2016.
On 23 February 2018 the Helsinki Court of Appeal voted 4-3 that the policy
allowing male Jehovah's Witnesses to avoid conscription was discriminatory against other conscientious objectors. As a result of this ruling the Ministry of Defence is reviewing the legislation.
On 23 February 2018 the Helsinki Court of Appeal voted 4-3 that the policy allowing male Jehovah's Witnesses to avoid conscription was discriminatory against other conscientious objectors. As a result of this ruling the Ministry of Defence is reviewing the legislation.
Excellent. You can be sure that were another religious group granted exemption from military conscription and JWs weren't, JW organization's lawyers would be approaching the Courts for the issue to be reviewed and rectified in their favour.
Thanks, Ernest. So did Otto Absentz get out of prison? If so, by his sentence expiring or by the Court of Appeal's decision? Do you know how long his sentence is/was?
When Otto Absentz went to prison on 30 August 2016 he still had 99 days of his sentence to complete. Since that would have been completed by the end of 2016 I assume he completed his sentence. I have not been able to find evidence suggesting an early release or suspension of his sentence awaiting the verdict of the Court of Appeals.
