Poland: Draft law concerning alternative service is at variance with internationally recognized principles on conscientious objection to military service.

The Draft Law Amending the Law on the Obligation to Defend the Republic of Poland and the Law on Soldiers’ Wages was adopted by the Sejm on 18 March 1999 following discussions in the National Defence Commission, and will now be debated in the Senate. The law includes inter alia provisions concerning alternative service to military service. There is concern that these provisions are punitive and at variance with international principles on conscientious objection because if adopted in their present form, the length of alternative service would be almost twice the length of military service.

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