E/CN.4/1991/56 page 32 Section 1 first paragraph of the Act which lists the conditions for exemption, reads as follows: 'If there is reason to assume that a conscript is unable to perform military service of any kind without coming into conflict with his serious convictions, he shall be exempted from such service by the competent ministry or by judgment pronounced pursuant to the provisions of this Act.' Each year there are some 2,000-2,500 applications for exemption pursuant to the Act. The Ministry of Justice, which is the competent ministry, grants approximately 80 per cent of these applications. About 40 per cent of the remaining cases are brought before a court, and some 80 per cent of these applicants are also exempted. Those who are exempted from military service in accordance with the above-mentioned Act are required to perform compulsory civilian service." Romania "The Constitution in our country is being prepared on the basis of new principles. Previous legislation severely penalized those who refused to perform military service. Today, even before the new Constitution has been prepared, the Government of Romania has decided that theological students are exempt from military service". Saint Vincent and the Grenadines "There is no compulsory military service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines." Sweden "On the issue of the right to conscientious objection I should like to refer to the information presented on these issues in the note of the Swedish Government of 20 December 1989 regarding resolution 1989/59 of the Commission on Human Rights, entitled 'Conscientious objection to military service'. A copy of the note is enclosed for your convenience." Swedish military defence is based on general conscription for men. The Act on Compulsory Military Service (1941:967) has the character of a general compulsory law which clearly prescribes that Swedish men from 18 to 47 years of age are liable for military service and may be called up for training and other service. There are few exceptions to the general rule that all Swedish men are liable for military service. Exemption from carrying out military service may be granted for physical and/or mental reasons. In addition, by virtue of the Act on Non-combatant Service (1966:413), there are possibilities for persons liable for military service to perform non-combatant service instead of military service. According to Section 1 of the Act on Non-combatant Service, this service may be performed instead of military service "if it can be assumed that the use of weapons against another person is so irreconcilable with the serious personal convictions of the conscript that he will not fulfil his military service."