A Government MP in the UK said the conscription policy of the Bermuda Regiment amounted to gender discrimination and violated the European convention on human rights.

During a debate on the Armed Forces Bill in the House of Commons on Monday, Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay said compulsory national service discriminated against males.

?Unless there has been a recent change that has not been drawn to the attention of the House, Bermuda has compulsory national service for men,? Mr. Mackinlay said in Hansard.

?That immediately flags up to Members of the House the fact that there is gender discrimination. In addition, those who refuse to serve are not just arrested but taken in chains, United States-style, in jumpsuits, and with both their feet and arms in manacles. I find that humiliating, and it is contrary to our obligations, particularly under the European convention on human rights.

?Before someone points out to me that Bermuda is not in Europe ? I do know that ? we still have a moral commitment, as we say that we are signed up to that convention, and Bermuda is an overseas territory, not an independent country. It chose not to go for Independence. The Governor of Bermuda, who is the commander-in-chief of Bermuda and therefore of the Bermuda Regiment, is appointed by Her Majesty?s Foreign Secretary.

?I hope that the Minister will respond by saying that the position is unacceptable, and that the Government cannot tolerate a complete ignoring of our obligations under the European convention on human rights. After all, the Bill carries a certificate-stating that it complies with the convention, but it does not in respect of Bermuda. I think it is time that we decided on the status of that Regiment.?

Larry Burchall, the Island?s Administrator of Defence, said the Mr. Mackinlay was referring to an incident two years ago when a serving solider was seen with handcuffs on his hands and feet.

Mr. Burchall said prisoners at Warwick Camp still wore jumpsuits and were handcuffed if deemed a flight risk.

?They are normally used in the transport process, outside of camp. Once they are brought into camp under orders they are never used,? he said. ?This practice stopped years ago.?

Inside Warwick Camp soldier-prisoners could be seen walking around without any manacles, he said.

He also said that technically speaking Bermuda did not have compulsory national service for men since a ballot process was used.

?One thousand men could be eligible but after a ballot only 200 actually serve,? he said.

National service stopped in the UK in 1962, he said, but national service was once obligatory in all European countries for all 18-year-old males ? barring health problems or conscientious objectors and there was no ballot.

As far as discriminating against men, he said Israel was the only country to conscript women.

And as for adhering to human right conventions, Mr. Burchall said it was a long hallowed tradition that Regiment was an autonomous and self-sufficient unit.

?I don?t know if it has placed us in a bad light,? he said. ?We are supported by Bermudians. The fact someone 3,000 miles away has a bone to pick with us is a matter for them. We deal with our problems ourselves.?

Mr. Mackinlay?s colleague, Parliamentary undersecretary of State for Defence Don Touhig joked that Mr. Mackinlay just wanted the Bermuda Governor?s job.

?I note his point about the appointment of the Governor of Bermuda being in the gift of my Right Honourable friend the Foreign Secretary,? Mr. Touhig said. ?I will mention (this) and when there is next a vacancy, perhaps he will be considered for it.?

Mr. Touhig said when the Bermuda Regiment was on duty it was part of the British forces.

Mr. Burchall said Mr. Touhig was technically correct since Bermuda?s Commander-in-Chief was Sir John Vereker. However, operative Regiment soldiers would be commanded by Lt. Col. Edward Lamb and decisions would be made by both the Governor and the Premier.