A committee re-examining the current practice of exempting members of the Jehovah's Witness religion from military service has failed to reach a conclusion on the matter. Under present law, Jehovah's Witnesses are not required to perform military service or alternative service during peacetime. Singling out one group for special treatment has been seen as problematic with respect to the principle of equal treatment under the law, and Finland has come under pressure from human rights bodies to end the practice. The working group set up by the Ministry of defence examined numerous alternatives to solve the problem. Options included maintaining the status quo, rescinding the current exemption law, and expanding the exemption so that no religious or other groups are mentioned by name. According to the working group, certain options are very problematic from the point of view of drafting legislation and implementation. The working group felt that some options might lead to an increase in the number of conscientious objectors who prefer to go to prison. Defence Minister: reform alternative service

Minister of Defence Jyri Häkämies feels that it would be important to develop the civilian service alternative in such a way that it would satisfy the convictions of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Häkämies notes that present legislation allows for the completion of alternative service in a religious institution.

Under present legislation, members of the Jehovah's Witnesses facing conscription are allowed to apply for deferments until the end of the year in which they turn 28, after which they can apply for exemption. A possible legislative change would apply to about 150 men a year.