Croatia: Information on whether Croatia requires men of mixed ethnic background to repeat military service, and whether such men are sent to the front lines
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HRV19373.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Croatia: Information on whether Croatia requires men of mixed ethnic background to repeat military service, and whether such men are sent to the front lines, 1 January 1995, HRV19373.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acb918.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. |
In a telephone interview on 9 January 1995, a representative of the London-based War Resisters International, an international pacifist network, provided the following information. The obligation to perform military service, and the subsequent possibility of serving on the front lines would be unaffected by a reservist's or regular's mixed ethnic background. There are periodic call-ups for military service and men under the age of 40 would probably be called up every year.
In telephone interviews on 9 and 10 January 1995, a Zagreb representative of the Anti-War Campaign, a non-governmental human rights organization with seven offices throughout Croatia, provided the following information. There is no exemption from military service on the basis of ethnicity, and all regulars and reservists are required, if necessary, to go to the front lines. The representative stated that there are provisions for exemption for conscientious objectors, and that the government is "fairly cooperative" in granting this exemption from military service to young reservists. The representative added that former regulars or reservists may be subject to repeated mobilization.
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.
References
Anti-War Campaign, Zagreb. 10 January 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
_____. 9 January 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
War Resisters International, London. 9 January 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
