Yugoslavia: Whether those who had already completed their compulsory military service were called up for military service or training (1 January 1991 - 1 January 1994); the maximum age of military service
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 13 August 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | YUG32313.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Yugoslavia: Whether those who had already completed their compulsory military service were called up for military service or training (1 January 1991 - 1 January 1994); the maximum age of military service, 13 August 1999, YUG32313.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad8052.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A 9 May 1991 Christian Science Monitor article states that "Yugoslavia's Army started calling up reservists Tuesday after the defense minister said civil war had begun, and federal leaders were deadlocked in crisis talks."
A 2 July 1991 Financial Times article states:
The Yugoslav army called up thousands of reservists yesterday and warned it would 'react in a massive manner' if the rebel republic of Slovenia broke a ceasefire accord .Belgrade television reported that the army had called up 200,000 reservists from the republics of Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina in the wake of independence moves by Slovenia and Croatia.
A 10 April 1992 Los Angeles Times article states that "The Serbian-led federal army has mobilized large numbers of reservists over the last two days, according to the unofficial Studio B broadcast network and sources in Belgrade who said friends and relatives were being called up."
The September 1998 book published by the War Resisters' International, Refusing to Bear Arms: A World Survey of Conscription and Conscientious Objection to Military Service, states that in Yugoslavia:
All men between the ages of 18 and 27 are liable for military service. The length of military service is 12 months.
Reservist duties pertain up to the age of 60. In peace time military training for reservists is compulsory, the length and frequency of reservists' duties vary. In war time or time of emergency reservists can be mobilized. And by presidential order conscripts can be called up when they are 17, reservists of over 60 can be called up and military service can be prolonged .
During the 1991-1992 war with Croatia mobilization of reservists was endemic, particularly in the autumn of 1991. Members of non-Muslim ethnic minorities (Hungarians, Slovaks, Ruthenians) seemed especially subjected to call-up. They were summoned for military training more often and for longer periods of time .There were also reports of politically motivated call-ups of reservists, as members of opposition parties were more likely to be mobilized (305).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 9 May 1991. "Yugoslav Army Calls Reserves Amid Reports of Civil Strife." (NEXIS)
The Financial Times [London]. 2 July 1991. Laura Silber, Judy Dempsy. "Yugoslav Army Ready to Enforce State Unity." (NEXIS)
Los Angeles Times. 10 April 1992. Home Edition. Carol J. Williams. "Muslims, Croats Incite Violence, Serbs Charge; Yugoslavia: Stage is Set for Possible Assault on Breakaway Bosnia. Call-Up Of Reserves in Reported." (NEXIS)
War Resisters' International. September 1998. Edited by Bart Horeman and Marc Stolwijk. Refusing to Bear Arms: A World Survey of Conscription and Conscientious Objection to Military Service. London: War Resisters' International.
