Colombian court upholds right to conscientious objection

The Constitutional Court in Colombia has upheld the right to conscientious objection, freedom of worship and religious freedom in a recent decision that declared that a young man could not be compelled to participate in compulsory military service if his religious beliefs prevent him from engaging in violence or belonging to armed groups.

The military argued that the young man could perform combat support functions that would not include direct participation in tactical operations. The court ordered the military to release the young man from his military service obligations.