Turkey: Update to Response to Information Request TUR2117 of 15 September 1989 on military service
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TUR20075.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Turkey: Update to Response to Information Request TUR2117 of 15 September 1989 on military service, 1 March 1995, TUR20075.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abf42c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Reuters reported on 26 December 1994 that the Turkish Defence Minister was to submit a decree requiring "privates to serve 18 months instead of 15 and reserve officers 16 months instead of 12." According to Inter Press Service (IPS), groups of draftees due for demobilization in February 1994 and in July 1994 both had their services extended by three months (12 July 1994).
For information on alternatives to military service, please consult Response to Information Request TUR19384.E of 24 January 1995, and the attached letter of 7 March 1995 that was faxed to the DIRB by War Resisters' International, which states that "there is no recognition of conscientious objection, ... and no provision of any form of non-combatant or civilian alternative service for objectors."
According to an 17 May 1994 IPS report, the government fixed 19 May 1994 as a deadline for the more than 200 000 Turks evading military service to sign up. IPS indicates that army deserters could be imprisoned for up to three years if caught (ibid.). For further information on military service, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Inter Press Service (IPS). 12 July 1994. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Human Rights: Military Court Arrests Conscientious Objector." (NEXIS)
_____. 17 May 1994. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Human Rights: Conscientious Objectors Refuse to Fight Kurds." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 26 December 1994. BC Cycle. "Turkey Plans to Extend Military Service." (NEXIS)
War Resisters' International, London. 7 March 1995. Letter faxed to the DIRB.
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 9 September 1994. "TV Journalists Stand Trial for Violating Military Rules." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 November 1992. PM Cycle. Jessica Baldwin. "End of US Ban on Homosexual Soldiers Could Push Overseas Reforms." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS). 12 July 1994. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Human Rights: Military Court Arrests Conscientious Objector." (NEXIS)
_____. 17 May 1994. Nadire Mater. "Turkey-Human Rights: Conscientious Objectors Refuse to Fight Kurds." (NEXIS)
Jane's Defence Weekly. 22 January 1994. "Turkish Draft Extended." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 26 December 1994. BC Cycle. "Turkey Plans to Extend Military Service." (NEXIS)
_____. 7 January 1994. BC Cycle. "Turkey Extends Conscripts' Time in Army." (NEXIS)
War Resisters' International, London. 7 March 1995. Letter faxed to the DIRB.