The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus urges Greece to stop the prosecution of Menelaos Exioglou

Menelaos Exioglou, a young Greek conscientious objector, will be tried at the military court of Larisa, Greece, on 18 December 2012 on charges of insubordination. The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus calls on Greek authorities to stop the persecution of Menelaos Exioglou and all other Greek conscientious objectors and fulfil the international obligations of Greece by fully respecting their human rights, both in law and in practice.
The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus condemns the Greek practice of criminalisation of young conscientious objectors. It is unacceptable that young Greek people have to face prosecution and prison sentences just because of their conscience and it is even more unacceptable that they have to appear before military courts, although they are civilians.
The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus is concerned about the practice regarding conscientious objectors in our area, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. Turkish and Greek conscientious objectors are systematically threatened by the law, the courts and the prisons. Moreover, conscientious objectors in both sides of Cyprus are threatened by the militarist approach. We continue to struggle for freedom of thought for everyone and especially the rights of conscientious objectors. For this reason Menelaos’ case is very important for us.
The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus is in full solidarity with Menelaos Exioglou and all other conscientious objectors.

The Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus
17/12/2012, Nicosia