E/CN.4/1992/52 page 118 Botswana "There is no compulsory military service in Botswana, hence no conscientious objectors." Burkina Faso The Government of Burkina Faso did not provide a specific answer to this question but indicated, in its general reply, that "the Constitution of 2 June does not recognize conscientious objection and article 10 states that 'every citizen has a duty to assist in the defence and maintenance of territorial integrity. He is obliged to perform national service when required to do so'." "There is no compulsory military service in Canada, and so this question does not arise." Cyprus "Conscientious objectors (mainly Jehovah's Witnesses) who refuse to perform military service which is compulsory under the Law, are considered to be deserters and face prosecution. It has been decided by the Supreme Court of Cyprus that the legal provisions for compulsory military service are not unconstitutional in view of the fact that an insurgency is going on in the Republic for the last decades and that since 1974 Cyprus has been the victim of invasion by Turkey and occupation of a substantial part of its area which still continues. A photocopy of this decision (Pitsillides and Another v. Republic, 1983 2 C.L.R. 374) is attached. However, a bill providing for the alternative of civilian service for conscientious objectors is now pending before the House of Representatives." Egypt "National defence and the protection of the national territory constitute a sacred obligation and military service is compulsory for all Egyptians without distinction among them on grounds of sex, colour or religion." The Government of Egypt also provided the following additional information with regard to this question: "The Egyptian Constitution The Egyptian constitution deals with matters relating to religion from two fundamental standpoints, namely the need to avoid discrimination among citizens on grounds of their religion or belief, and the guarantee by the State of freedom of belief and religious observance. The Constitution also regards defence of the homeland and its territory as a sacred duty of all citizens.