The United States welcome Armenia’s development of alternative service options in lieu of military service, representative of U.S. mission in OSCE said.

Washington also welcomes the release last year of all Jehovah’s Witnesses serving sentences for refusing on religious grounds to perform military service, U.S. envoy said at OSCE Session on Freedom of Thought, Religion.

“We hope this serves as an example for other participating states,” the statement reads.

Besides, the statement said “history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion -- are ultimately more just and more peaceful and more successful. Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism”.