Colombian Constitutional Court again recognizes conscientious objection

The Colombian Constitutional Court has reiterated its recognition of a right to conscientious objection, this time in a case involving a soldier who was a long-time member of the Charismatic Church. According to this report in El Tiempo, the court held that "it is unreasonable to compel someone to perform military service where there is a deep conflict between constitutional duty and his convictions or beliefs." Military officials had repeatedly told the soldier that there is no right to conscientious objection. The controversy began over four years ago.