January 30, 2002

Dear Sir,

Conscription is a form of slavery; no person should be forced to join an armed force such as the Bermuda Regiment against their will. Furthermore, it is reprehensible that a man can be sanctioned for holding moral or ideological beliefs that prevent him from joining the Regiment.

The primary purpose of an armed force is to train soldiers for armed conflict and, as a consequence, to kill. By forcing a man to join such a force against his will, he is forced to accept the risk that he may one day take the life or lives of others without any conviction as to the justice of his actions. No man should be forced to accept such a risk against his will.

It must be also recognised that the Regiment functions on the basis that its members must follow instructions without question. By forcing a man to join the Regiment he is forced to acquiesce to instructions notwithstanding that he may lack conviction as to the justice or morality thereof. Such coercion violates the fundamental and inalienable rights of free thought and free speech.

Discussions about conscription and the Bermuda Regiment seem to overlook the fact that armed conflict is neither the only nor the most effective means of resolving international disputes. Mandatory military service places a disproportionate emphasis on the efficacy of the sword and gives too little regard to the power of diplomacy, dialogue, cooperation, non-violent struggle and peace.

Arguments that men should join the Regiment to assist during times of national emergency are simplistic. They suggest that the only way a man can make a positive contribution during a hurricane is for him to don a combat fatigue. Such arguments neglect to recognise the roles that community-based organisations play during such occurrences. Churches, social clubs and sports clubs have proven their logistical abilities by organising their members to assist following severe storms.

No man should be forced to compromise his beliefs under any circumstance. There is no good reason for conscription to continue in Bermuda and every reason for it to end.

CHEN FOLEY

London, England