Conscientious objector sentenced to ninth consecutive prison term

Bar?? after three years in prison.

ISPARTA, Turkey—The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) directed the Turkish government on July 7, 2010, to “suspend all penal actions” against Bar?? Görmez and “not to execute any sentence issued” against him until the Grand Chamber of the ECHR renders its judgment in the conscientious objector case of Bayatyan v. Armenia. Nevertheless, on January 26, 2011, the military court in Isparta ignored the ECHR interim directive and sentenced Mr. Görmez back to the military prison where he has been since November 5, 2007. The court made this decision after conferring with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Justice.

“Bar?? is essentially caught in a never-ending revolving door because current laws in Turkey do not allow for conscientious objection to military service,” states Ahmet Yorulmaz, a spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Turkey. Yorulmaz continues, “As soon as he finishes one prison term, Bar?? is sentenced to another because his Bible-trained conscience does not allow him to wear a military uniform or bear arms. The decision by the Isparta Military Court and the Ministry of Justice to ignore the ECHR directive sadly confirms that there is no end in sight for this type of injustice in Turkey.”

Bar?? Görmez is 33 years old, a Turkish citizen, and a former professional basketball player. He has consistently stated that he would be willing to perform alternative civilian service if this option was available. After more than three years of incarceration, Bar?? has not wavered in his determination to maintain his firm Bible-based conviction to abstain from learning war, in spite of difficulties he has endured. Even before arriving at prison, cruel attempts were made by the military police to coerce Bar?? to change his religious beliefs and take up arms. He was hit, kicked, and stepped on while the soles of his feet were beaten with a club. At seven feet tall, Mr. Görmez also faces a constant challenge in prison. In order to sleep, he must either pull two beds together or contort into an uncomfortable position each night.

An application was filed on March 17, 2008, and is pending with the ECHR on behalf of Mr.Görmez and three other Turkish Jehovah’s Witnesses who are conscientious objectors.

Contacts: 

In Turkey: Ahmet Yorulmaz, tel. +90 0535 7426314

In Belgium: The European Association of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses, tel. +32 2 782 0015

In USA: James E. Andrik, Associate General Counsel, tel. +1 845 306 0711