Uruguay: Follow-up to Responses URY17174.E through 17180.E (military service contracts, border controls and other issues)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | URY17803.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uruguay: Follow-up to Responses URY17174.E through 17180.E (military service contracts, border controls and other issues), 1 June 1994, URY17803.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf148.html [accessed 1 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. |
The Servicio de Paz y Justicia-Uruguay (SERPAJ-Uruguay) researched and responded, within time constraints, to five questions forwarded by the DIRB (21 June 1994). What follows is an unofficial translation of the questions sent and their corresponding answers, prepared by the DIRB and provided for your reference.
1. Q: Was a decree on national security doctrine signed in 1994? If so, what are its main points and implications?
A: We are not aware of any decrees related to national security that may have introduced changes to existing legislation currently in effect. No Uruguayan legal document contains the term "Doctrina de la Seguridad Nacional" (national security doctrine), regardless of whether some aspects of the legislation currently in effect could fit within the philosophy and characteristics of the so-called National Security Doctrine.
2. Q: In order to leave Uruguay, particularly by air, are there controls, criminal background checks or verification of pending arrest warrants? In other words, if persons are sought by authorities, could they have left the country legally? On the same subject, what authority controls exit by air?
A: Border controls are stricter in the airports, but in the "dry" borders with neighbouring countries these are practically non-existent. Controls are under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior, through the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
3. Q: Who is the chief of police in the department of Colonia?
A: Oscar Leicht is the current chief of police in the department of Colonia.
4. Q: Are there military service contracts that commit the recruit or officer to more than ten years of service? If so, is it possible to terminate the contracts prematurely?
A: The rank and file of the armed forces is classified as "voluntario contratado" (contracted volunteers), and their contract lasts two years. Among officers, length of service is not stipulated. Furthermore, in our country [Uruguay] there is no compulsory military service, so one cannot talk about recruits. Regarding terms of service, the rank and file that is assigned to take courses abroad would likely have to submit to longer terms of service.
5. Q: Are there any reports of serious abuses committed against military personnel within their institution?
A: We know of no denouncements of serious abuses.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
Reference
Servicio de Paz y Justicia-Uruguay (SERPAJ-Uruguay), Montevideo. 21 June 1994. Fax received by DIRB.
