International LawLibrary
Buldu and Others v. Turkey
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Turkey 57,650 euros for prosecuting and convicting four Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused compulsory military service, according to a statement from the Court on June 3.
(Application No. 14017/08) – Chamber Judgment 3 June 2014. The applicants are four Turkish Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to carry out their military service on account of religious convictions. They cited Articles 3 and 9 of the Convention, and said that they were treated unfairly while detained and tried. The Court found that there was no reason for Turkey to override the applicants’ religious beliefs, and ruled that there was a violation of Articles 3, 6, and 9. The Court ordered Turkey to pay reparations.
To access the judgment click here.
