In Northern Cyprus, there are calls for parliament to legalize the right to conscientious objection to military service

The Initiative for the Recognition of the Right to Conscientious Objection (Vicdani Ret İnisiyatifi) stated that the parliament of Northern Cyprus has failed to fulfill its obligations despite the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights. The organization reminded that the courts have recognized the right of citizens to refuse military service on moral, philosophical, or religious grounds, yet no corresponding law has been enacted so far.

According to the Constitutional Court's decision, conscientious objection is protected by Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and by the provisions of the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. These norms guarantee freedom of conscience and belief, which implies the possibility of performing alternative civilian service. However, despite this, the parliament has not amended the legislation, and a system of alternative service has not been established.

Representatives of Vicdani Ret İnisiyatifi warn that without legislative changes, prosecutions against objectors continue. Recently, one of the activists was again sentenced to imprisonment due to the lack of a legal mechanism allowing citizens to substitute military duty with civilian service.

The activists stated that the parliament's inaction violates not only domestic norms but also Northern Cyprus's international obligations under the European Court’s rulings. They called on MPs to immediately pass a law enshrining the right to conscientious objection and regulating the procedure for performing alternative service.

"Peace is our duty, refusal is our right," said the organization’s statement. According to its representatives, recognizing this right would be a step toward strengthening human rights and democratic freedoms on the island.