This report describes Amnesty International’s concerns regarding Austrian legislation on conscientious objection, including the increase in length of alternative service, and the restriction of time limits within which applications for alternative service have to be made. At the end of January 1997 at least three men – Herwig Matzka, Peter Zwiauer and Andreas Gruber – faced possible imprisonment as a result of their refusal to perform military service. If any of them are imprisoned, Amnesty International will regard them as prisoners of conscience and will call for their immediate and unconditional release.
