Proposal to Legalize Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Northern Cyprus

In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, there is a proposal to legalize conscientious objection to military service. Several deputies put forward this initiative during a parliamentary session while discussing the budget of the Security Forces Command.

According to Doguş Derya, a deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), "conscientious objection to military service should be considered based on fundamental human rights."

The parliamentarian also reminded that conscientious objection to military service is recognized as a right in the European Union and in Southern Cyprus.

It should be noted that under the law, Turkish Cypriots are obligated to undergo military service, typically lasting for 15 months. The concept of conscientious objection to military service is not recognized in the country's laws.

Speaking at the session, Doguş Derya demanded the adoption of a resolution on conscientious objection to military service and prevention of young people being brought to military courts. The deputy emphasized that this could be recognized as a human right, and criteria for conscientious objection to military service could be defined.

The initiative was also supported by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and CTP member Fazilet Özdenefe, who pledged to "do everything possible" to legalize conscientious objection to military service based on convictions.

It is also noted that a previous attempt to legalize conscientious objection to military service was made in Northern Cyprus when a draft law was introduced during the period of a four-party coalition that ruled the country from January 2018 to May 2019. However, at that time, the law was not successfully passed.