Aseistakieltaytyjaliitto

Forum voor Vredesactie

Case Hermaja:

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Background Information

An introduction to Case Hermaja

Why am I a conscientious objector?

Conscientious Objection in Finland

Links to related websites

Finnish Civilian Service Act

Download "Case Hermaja" leaflet (.pdf)

Finnish C.O.s in prison:

Prison addresses

Online support petition

Sign the petition

Recent signatures

Photos:

Manneken Pis (9/1/2006)

Prisoners for Peace (1/12/2005)

Brussels Embassy Occupation (1/12/2004)

Raad van State hearing (14/1/2004)

Brussels Demonstration (1/12/2003)

Brussels Demonstration (2/12/2002)

Brussels Demonstration (1/12/2001)

Brussels Demonstration (3/10/2001)

Latest News:

Manneken Pis dressed as "Prisoner for Peace": demands release of prisoners

9/1/2006

Finnish Presidential Election, questionnaire

9/1/2006

"Prisoners for Peace" day, Brussels

1/12/2005

100th Birthday of Finnish Pacifist Arndt Pekurinen (August 29th 1905-November 5th 1941)

29/8/2004

Actions at Finnish Embassies and Consulates in several countries on the Prisoners for Peace day

1/12/2004

ACTION ALERT: international peace prisoners' day 1st December -focus on Finland

Asylum request of Finnish Conscientious Objector rejected by Belgian High Court

3/3/2004

Finnish conscientious objector appears before the Raad van State, Belgium

14/1/2004

Freedom for Finnish political prisoners!
-demonstrations outside Finnish Embassies in several countries

1/12/2003

Finnish Embassy occupied by peace activists in Brussels

2/12/2002

Amnesty International would adopt Hermaja as prisoner of conscience
28/1/2002

Finnish civil service system punishes conscientious objectors
23/1/2002

Asylum application rejected
21/1/2002

Decision in Case Hermaja expected soon
9/1/2002

Prisoners for Peace actions
1/12/2001

CO demands Asylum in Belgium
3/10/2001

Amnesty International would adopt Hermaja as prisoner of conscience

From Veronika Nelson, Amnesty International, International Secretariat, London

To Mr Frans Smeets, Advocaat, Antwerpen
Re: Finnish Conscientious Objector Jussi HERMAJA

Dear Mr Smeets,

I am writing to confirm that if Jussi Hermaja were returned to Finland, he would face imprisonment as a conscientious objector. As soon as he was imprisoned, Amnesty International would consider him to be a prisoner of conscience and would urge the authorities to release him immediately.

Amnesty International has been concerned since 1997 about new legislation which shortened the duration of military service for the vast majority of conscripts but did not consequently change the duration of civilian alternative service. Amnesty International believes the current length of alternative service is punitive and discriminatory. Since 1999 Amnesty International has adopted 33 conscientious objectors as prisoners of conscience.

I enclose one of the letters sent to Amnesty International from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Amnesty International groups dated May 2001 which demonstrates that sections of the government believe that the law on alternative service should be changed.

Yours sincerely,

Veronica Nelson
Campaigner, Western Europe