On 8 April, the Committee of Ministers ended its supervision of the execution of the European Court’s judgments in the Teliatnikov v. Lithuania group. The two cases concerned the unavailability of a genuine civilian service as an alternative to compulsory military service for the applicant conscientious objectors, members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Following the Court’s judgments, the Lithuanian authorities amended the law on conscription to ensure that the administration of alternative national defence service is entrusted to an institution outside the national defence system. The revised law provides for the possibility to perform such service not only in State and municipal institutions, but also at public-benefit non-governmental organisations, the list of which is approved by the Government. The law further provides that applications for alternative national defence service are examined on their merits by a special commission composed of representatives of non-governmental organisations, certain religious communities and religious associations, as well as scientific and educational institutions. It also sets the duration of the alternative national defence service at 12 months.
