Guatemala: Additional information on conscription for military service, 1992
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GTM11802 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guatemala: Additional information on conscription for military service, 1992, 1 September 1992, GTM11802, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac4f54.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. |
As indicated in Response to Information Request GTM11561 (11 Sept. 1992), please find attached a fax sent to the IRBDC by the Embassy of Guatemala in Ottawa (21 Sept. 1992). The Embassy's written response answers the following questions forwarded by the IRBDC:
1- Is the "lottery" system (random draw of individuals' military service registration numbers) for military service recruitment currently practised? Has it been used at all since 1990? If yes, are the numbers drawn published or are those selected notified individually?
2- Is it possible to be exempt from military service? (According to information on the subject provided by your Embassy a few years ago, exemption from service can be granted to students, working professionals and/or through payment of a special tax. Is this currently the case?)
3- Are there penalties for failing to report for service if selected through a random draw (fine, imprisonment or restrictions on the acquisition of documents, for example)?
The Embassy responded to the questions as follows (this is an unofficial translation provided by the IRBDC for your reference):
1- Military service is compulsory for men who have reached 18 years of age. They are called up, and those who pass the psychological and medical exams are recruited. At present, many women are serving voluntarily.
2- If there are medical reasons, there is no obligation to serve. Students are asked to attend on Sundays to fulfil their military service. There is no fine. Regarding professionals, most of them have already completed their military service.
3- There are no penalties. Nevertheless, it is necessary to have the military service card to apply for an identity or residence card (Cédula de Vecindad) and a passport.
Regarding the answers to questions 2 and 3, the Embassy of Guatemala in Ottawa stated that there is no tax or fee that exempts men from their military service although, as could be the case in other countries, it is possible that an individual may have bribed some local recruiting staff in order to avoid conscription (22 Sept. 1992). The Embassy clarified that no fine is imposed on those who fail to respond a call for military service (Ibid.). However, those who do not serve or do not justify a failure to serve will find it difficult or impossible to obtain a Cédula or a passport (Ibid.).
References
Embassy of Guatemala, Ottawa. 22 September 1992. Telephone Interview with Consul.
Embassy of Guatemala, Ottawa. 21 September 1992. Fax received by IRBDC.
Attachment
Embassy of Guatemala, Ottawa. 21 September 1992. Fax received by IRBDC.