EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 17/08/95

Distr: UA/SC

31 January 1995

Further information on UA 85/94 (EUR 17/02/94, 4 March 1994) and follow-ups (EUR 17/05/94, 26 April, EUR 17/08/94, 24 May, and EUR 17/20/94, 18 October) - Legal Concern / Medical Concern / Prisoner of Conscience

CYPRUSTheocharis Theokli THEOCHARIDIS, aged 53

Jehovah's Witness Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis is due to appear once more before the Larnaka Military Court on 10 February 1995 for refusing to perform reservist exercises on religious grounds. His trial has already been postponed four times.

He has extremely poor eyesight and suffers from enlargement of the heart and high blood pressure. His applications for exemption from military obligations on health grounds have still not been accepted. In June 1994, the Cypriot High Commission in London informed Amnesty International that after a medical examination Mr Theocharidis "has so far been found fit for auxiliary service". Amnesty International believes that, in view of his poor health, Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis should be exempt from any military exercises. If he is imprisoned, Amnesty International will consider him to be a prisoner of conscience.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters

- stressing that in view of his poor health, Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis should be exempt from any military exercises, and urging the authorities to promptly accept his applications for exemption in order to spare him any further distress;

- pointing out that if Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis is imprisoned, Amnesty International will consider him to be a prisoner of conscience;

- calling for the introduction of a wholly civilian service of non-punitive length in line with the resolution 1989/59 of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and with the Recommendation No R(87) 8 of the Council of Europe.

APPEALS TO:

1) Mr Glafcos Klerides,

President of the Republic of Cyprus,

Presidential Palace, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Faxes: 357 2 445016

Telegrams: President Klerides, Nicosia, Cyprus

Salutation: Dear President

2) Dr Konstandinos Iliadhis,

Minister of Defence, Minstry of Defence,

Emmanouil Roidi 4, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Telexes: 6006 MOD CY

Telegrams: Minister of Defence, Nicosia, Cyprus

Salutation: Dear Minister

3) Mr Alexandros Evangelou,

Minister of Justice,

Ministry of Justice,

1 Diogenes St, Engonti, Cyprus.

Faxes: 357 2 461427

Telegrams: Minister of Justice, Engonti, Cyprus

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

diplomatic representatives of CYPRUS accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 10 February 1994.