Bermuda's military conscription policy has prompted three men to complain to the British Parliament.

Letters opposing the draft were submitted by Sergio Lottimore, David McCann and Brian Swan as part of an ongoing Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry into the governance of the overseas territories.

Mr. Lottimore claimed conscription is a violation of human rights, and denounced the policy of arresting those who fail to show up for duty.

Describing himself as a 22-year-old graduate from McGill University in Canada, he wrote last July: "The Bermuda Regiment prides itself on strong morals, values and civic duty.

"Yet the institution's selection process explicitly contradicts these very same values by humiliating, criminalising and persecuting Bermuda's young males that choose not to participate in this organisation. As a recent selectee, I find myself faced with the possibility of imprisonment and/or fines for violating an unfair and unjust edict...I recommend that the Bermuda Regiment should modify its selection process in a manner that espouses the organisation's stated ideals."

MPs from all Britain's main political parties are considering such submissions as part of the inquiry. Once it is completed, they will file a report to Meg Munn, Minister for the overseas territories, which will be debated in the House of Commons.

In a letter dated September 2007, Mr. McCann said he was drafted after completing degree studies in the US, but was subsequently excused service on medical grounds.

He asked: "How can I put all my effort into getting my career properly off the ground if I have to give three years to the Regiment? I do believe it is a 21st Century form of slavery, as people who I know have gone through with it have described the abuse. "

In a letter also dated September 2007, Mr. Swan wrote: "I am glad that someone is finally looking into the Bermuda Regiment lottery. This practice of randomly selecting male Bermudians is akin to punishing a person because they were born in the wrong country and are the wrong sex. "It is a horrible feeling to know that your freedoms may be taken from you when you reach a particular age and you will be forced to learn how to kill."

The submissions are detailed in full on the UK Parliament's website at www.parliament.uk.

They come as 14 young men collectively known as Bermudians Against the Draft prepare to launch a legal case which they hope will get conscription outlawed. The group has claimed that the ballot which picks conscripts is gender-biased and a breach of human rights because only men are picked, not women.

It also claims the Governor has not made reasonable efforts to recruit sufficient volunteers to the Regiment – in violation of the Defence Act – before filling its ranks with conscripts. The case is set to be heard next month.

The three men who wrote to the House of Commons are not members of BAD, which itself hopes to address the committee at a later date.

Bermudian males aged 18 to 33 are liable for call-up to the Regiment through a random ballot administered by the Defence Department. Exemptions apply for reasons including alternative service with the Police, Fire and St. John Ambulance services, and conscientious objection.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. William White has previously commented that the Regiment cannot fulfil its current roles – which include hurricane relief and maintaining public safety – through a volunteer cadre.

Deputy Governor Mark Capes said yesterday that any change to the status quo would require an amendment to the Defence Act by the Government.

"The Bermuda Regiment has a proud history and has made a positive and valuable contribution to Bermuda. It has also provided unique opportunities for self-improvement and advancement to young Bermudians, many of whom went on to achieve senior positions in public life and in the private sector," he said.

The Foreign Affairs Committee has invited submissions on topics ranging from good governance to human rights in the overseas territories.

The deadline is January 31, with details available on the website www.parliament.uk/facom