ABSTRACT: Motion for a resolution tabled by Von Uexull, on 15th January 1988 to the European Parliament, on the sentencing of Michalis Maragakis, a Greek conscientious objector, to four years' imprisonment( doc. B2 1587/87)

The European Parliament,

A. whereas Michalis Maragakis, the first Greek conscientious objector to invoke reasons other than religious ones, publicly

declared on 6 December 1986 that he refused to perform military

service on philosophical, moral and ideological grounds and requested to be allowed to perform an alternative civilian service

B. whereas he was imprisoned on 11 March 1987 because Greece is the only country in the Community which does not recognise the right to refuse military service and Greek legislation does not provide for an alternative social service

C. whereas on 25 June 1987 he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment by the Salonika Military Tribunal,

D. whereas the Kavalla Military Tribunal sentenced him to the same period of imprisonment on 13 October 1987,

E. whereas his appeal will come before the Athens Military Tribunal on 18 February 1988,

F. recalling the resolution adopted by Parliament on 7 February

1983 urging Member States of the Community to harmonise their legislation on conscientious objectors on the basis of a series

of common principles,

G. recalling that the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers

passed on this request to all Member States in its recommendation of 9 April 1987 ,

H. having regard also to the recent decision-opinion by the UN Economic and Social Council's Committee on Human Rights,

1. Urges the Greek Government to release Michalis Maragakis forthwith and to cease all proceedings against him;

2. Appeals to Members of the Greek Parliament to take into account the relevant legislation in other Member States of the Community and recognise the refusal to perform military service as a human right and provide for an alternative period of social

service in Greek legislation;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Greek Government.