E/CN.4/1993/62
page 96
Conference in April 1993 (see annex 5). The Chairman of the Preparatory
Committee for the Conference is Fr. Filo Thaus Fargj. Among the members of
the Committee is the Secretary General of the Sudan Council of Churches, the
Secretary General of the Catholic Archbishops Conference and Fr. Zikri Rizig
Jaid. Actually everybody is welcome to attend the conference and discuss the
allegations with the Christians themselves."
60.
The annexes mentioned above are available and may be consulted at the
Secretariat of the Centre for Human Rights. The Government of Sudan has also
expressed its readiness to provide any additional documents and information
that may be required.
Switzerland
61.
In a communication sent on 31 October 1991 (E/CN.4/1992/52, para. 67)
addressed to the Government of Switzerland, the following information was
transmitted by the Special Rapporteur:
"According to information received, Mr. Frederic Maillard, commercial
director of an advertising firm in Fribourg, aged 25, was sent to Fribourg
Central Prison on 3 September 1990 because of his decision to refuse on
religious grounds to continue doing military service, having been a convinced
Christian since the age of 16.
When he was summoned to register for military service for the first time,
Mr. Maillard, citing his religious beliefs, submitted a request to the
military authorities to do his service in a non-armed unit, a request which
was granted. He did his four months’ service at a training camp in 1985. The
compulsory refresher course scheduled for 1986 was postponed. Mr. Maillard
failed to appear for the inspection of weapons and equipment in 1987 and 1988.
On 4 April 1988, Mr. Maillard wrote to the military authorities,
informing them of his decision to refuse to serve for conscientious reasons
and did not report for the refresher course beginning on 18 April 1988. On
28 August 1989 he explained to the military tribunal of Division 1 at Payerne
that his decision arose from his profound religious beliefs, which involved
condemnation of any use of violence, making further performance of his
military obligations impossible.
According to the sources, the military tribunal is said to have
recognized that Mr. Maillard’s refusal to serve was based on sincere religious
belief and that he was involved in a serious conflict of conscience.
Nevertheless, the court sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment to be
served as a criminal judgement, to the costs of the case, and to dismissal
from the army."
62.
On 27 January 1992, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the
United Nations Office at Geneva sent the Special Rapporteur the following
reply relating to the above-mentioned allegation:
"1.
The de facto and de jure information relating to the
above-mentioned case contained in the annex to the note of the Special
Rapporteur is generally accurate.