YEREVAN. – Two young men refused military service and military-controlled alternative service in the Armed Forces of Armenia and were arrested in November, as a result of which the total number of the arrested refusing to serve reached 31, all of them belong to Jehovah's Witnesses, Forum 18 Norwegian site informs. Another 15 people are likely to sooner be arrested as well if their appeals fail.

Although Armenia committed itself on joining the Council of Europe to introduce a civilian, non-military alternative service by January 2004, it failed to do so, mentions the website.

Armenia, however, has repeatedly claimed that the current situation is in full compliance with its international human rights commitments.