The March 1990 Law on Civilian Service of the Czech and Slovak Republic (CSR) provided for a civilian alternative to compulsory military service. According to Amnesty International, alternative service was available to "all those whose religious beliefs or moral convictions hinder them from performing active military service" (Jan. 1991, 8). The law stated that alternative service could be performed with a variety of institutions in the health and social service sectors, as well as in the area of environmental protection and disaster relief (ibid., 8-9). The duration of alternative service set out in the law was 27 months, 50 per cent longer than regular military service. (ibid., 9; RFE/RL 7 Feb. 1992, 49).

The new provisions for alternative service applied to those carrying out their compulsory military service, as well as to new draftees (RFE/RL 7 Feb. 1992, 49). In 1990, 14,000 conscripts ended their service early and opted for alternative service, and a "considerable portion" of new recruits also applied for the option (ibid.). According to one report, in practice many of those approved for alternative service did not serve at all because of a shortage of positions for such service in the civilian sector (ibid.). Consequently, a new draft law on alternative service was introduced to the CSK parliament in October 1991. The new law included a provision that recruits would have to apply for conscientious objector status either before or within 30 days of commencing their regular military service (ibid.).

In June 1993, the Czech parliament reduced the period of alternative service to 18 months, in accordance with a reduction in compulsory military service approved at the same time (CTK 15 June 1993; Mlada Fronta Dnes 16 June 1993).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Amnesty International. January 1991. Conscientious Objection to Military Service. (AI Index: POL 31/01/91) London: Amnesty International.

CTK [Prague, in English]. 15 June 1993. "Military Service To Be Reduced." (FBIS-EEU-93-115 17 June 1993, p. 12)

Mlada Fronta Dnes [Prague, in Czech]. 16 June 1993. "Civilian Service in Military To Be Reduced." (FBIS-EEU-93-119 23 June 1993, p. 11)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 7 February 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 6. Jan Obrman. "The Czechoslovak Armed Forces: The Reform Continues."

Amnesty International. January 1991. Conscientious Objection to Military Service. (AI Index: POL 31/01/91) London: Amnesty International, pp. 1, 8-9.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 7 February 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 6. Jan Obrman. "The Czechoslovak Armed Forces: The Reform Continues," pp. 48-49.